Lecture Notes: Chapter 15 - Stress, Coping, and Health

Announcements:

• The instructor will be teaching oral psychology in the fall.
• Prerequisites: PSY 104, PSY 105, and a 200-level course in the spring.

Overview of Chapter 15

• Title: Stress, Coping, and Health
• Topics covered:
  • Stress and stressors
  • Coping mechanisms
  • Health impacts
  • Positive psychology

Key Concepts

Stress and Stressors

• Stressor: An event causing stress (e.g., midterms).
• Stress Reaction: Bodily and cognitive reactions to a stressor.
  • Components: Cognitive evaluation, physiological response, behavioral tendencies

Measuring Stress

• Holmes-Rawhe Scale: Quantifies stress in "life-change units."
  • Change (pleasant or unpleasant) is a key factor.
  • Predicts likelihood of health breakdown.
  • <150 units = low chance, 150-300 = 50% chance, >300 = 80% chance.

Cognitive Appraisal

• Primary Appraisal: Evaluation of the event (positive or negative).
• Secondary Appraisal: Evaluation of one's capacity to handle the stressor.

Physiological Response to Stress

• General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS): Model of bodily reactions (Alarm, Resistance, Exhaustion).
  • Prolonged stress leads to exhaustion and higher susceptibility to illness.
  • Stress hormone: Cortisol (competes with immune system).

Stress-Related Disorders

• PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder): Symptoms include severe anxiety, flashbacks, survivor guilt.
  • Related brain structures: Amygdala (fear), hippocampus (memory).
  • Other related syndromes: Rape trauma syndrome, residential school syndrome.

Coping and Protective Factors

Vulnerability and Protective Factors

• Social Support: Strong social connections are protective for both mental and physical health.
• Hardiness: Traits that act as protective factors (commitment, control, challenge).
• Coping Self-Efficacy: Belief in one's ability to cope effectively.
• Optimism: A positive outlook can act as a protective factor.
• Type A vs. Type B Personality:
  • Type A: Competitive, driven, irritable; correlated with cardiovascular issues.
  • Type B: Relaxed, less driven.

Finding Meaning

• Finding meaning in stressful events can be a protective factor.
• Role of religion in stress management.

Types of Coping Strategies

• Problem-Focused Coping: Addressing the problem causing stress.
• Emotion-Focused Coping: Managing emotional response to stress.
  • Positive reinterpretation, meditation, repression.
• Social Support: Seeking help from others.

Gender and Cultural Differences in Coping

• Men more likely to use problem-focused coping.
• Women more likely to use emotion-focused coping or seek social support.
• Cultural differences noted between individualistic and collectivistic societies.

Conclusion

• Understanding stress and coping mechanisms is key to managing health and well-being.
• Further exploration of these topics in exam review and future classes.