HEALTH,
STRESS AND
COPING
Which do you think affects us
the most?
1. Daily Stress 3. Catastrophes
That which
That which takes
we live with on
us by surprise
a day-to-day
basis
2. Significant
Changes
That is, moving,
break-ups, going to
college (studying)
Stress: An Everyday Event
Major stressors vs. routine hassles
◦ Cumulative nature of stress
◦ Cognitive appraisals
Major Types of Stress
Frustration: blocked goal (ex: traffic)
Conflict: incompatible motivations
◦ Approach-approach
◦ Approach-avoidance
◦ Avoidance-avoidance
Change: having to adapt
◦ Social Readjustment Rating Scale
◦ Life Change Units
Pressure
◦ Perform/conform
Figure 13.2 Types of conflict
Responding to Stress Emotionally
Emotional Responses
◦Annoyance, anger, rage
◦Apprehension, anxiety, fear
◦Dejection, sadness, grief
◦Positive emotions
Change
Frustration and stress can sometimes be
avoided by obtaining coping skills,
however……
Most people HATE change, even if their
current situation is horrible – it seems that
we sometimes are so afraid of change
because of the UNKNOWN!!
Physiological Responses
Fight-or-flight – sympathetic
system is activated
Parasympathetic system
brings system back to
homeostasis
Selye’s General Adaptation
Syndrome
Alarm-physiological
arousal occurs
Resistance-
physiological
arousal stabilizes
Exhaustion-body
begins to shut
down
Negative Effects of Stress
Burnout – physical,
mental, emotional
exhaustion due to
ongoing emotionally
demanding situations
– like what? Who is
most likely to suffer
from burnout?
Posttraumatic Stress
Disorder (PTSD)
Responding to Stress Behaviorally
Behavioral Responses
◦Frustration-aggression hypothesis
◦catharsis
◦defense mechanisms
Coping
Effects of Stress:
Behavioral and Psychological
Impaired task performance
Burnout
Psychological problems and disorders
Positive effects
Figure 13.7 The antecedents, components, and consequences of burnout
Effects of Stress: Physical
Psychosomatic diseases
Heart disease
◦ Type A behavior - 3 elements
strong competitiveness
impatience and time urgency
anger and hostility
◦ Emotional reactions and depression
Stress and immune functioning
◦ Reduced immune activity
ARE YOU TYPE A?
- Strong competitive type
- Impatient/time urgency
- Anger/hostility/cynicism
- Unable to handle other’s mistakes
- Likes to do ALL the work
themselves
- Workaholics
Which of these characteristics is most
associated with heart disease?
Do you find yourself……
Having difficulty restraining yourself from
hurrying other’s speech?
Doing more than one thing at a time?
Feeling guilty if you use extra time to relax?
Tending to get involved in a lot of things at
one time?
Racing through yellow lights when you drive?
Do you find yourself….
Needing to win in order to get enjoyment out
of things?
Needing to move, walk and eat rapidly?
Taking on too many responsibilities?
Getting angry when you have to wait on line?
Having an intense desire to better your
position in life and impressing others?
Type A Personalities…
Hostility and competitiveness may undermine
social support from others that might buffer
the effects of stress
Cynicism and impatience might lead to poor
health habits, such as a lack of exercise,
excessive consumption of convenience
foods, or denial of symptoms
ARE YOU TYPE B?
You know who you are
too…….
Are you –
Relaxed most of the
time?
Easygoing?
Amicable?
Adaptable?
Physical Problems – Type A
Associated with…..
Colds
Ulcers
Asthma
Headaches
Chronic back pain
Stroke
Heart Disease
AIDS
Stress may also play a role
in….
Depression
Schizophrenia
Bipolar Disorder
Anxiety Disorders
Eating Disorders
Table 13.4 Health Problems that may be Linked to Stress
Factors Moderating the Impact of
Stress
Social support
◦ Increased immune functioning
Optimism
◦ More adaptive coping
◦ Pessimistic explanatory style
Conscientiousness
◦ Fostering better health habits
Autonomic reactivity
◦ Cardiovascular reactivity to stress
Health-Impairing Behaviors
Smoking
Poor nutrition
Lack of exercise
Alcohol and drug use
Risky sexual behavior
Transmission, misconceptions, and
prevention of AIDS
