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Understanding Theories of Stress and Health Behavior

May 5, 2025

Lecture Notes: Theories of Stress and Health Behavior

Theories of Stress

Lazarus's Theory of Stress

  • Primary Appraisal: Determining if an event is positive, negative, or neutral.
  • Secondary Appraisal: Assessing if one has the resources to cope with the event.
  • Stress is experienced when an event is viewed as negative, and there is a lack of coping resources.

Diathesis-Stress Model

  • Emphasizes genetic predispositions (diathesis) to mental or physical illness.
  • Stress triggers the manifestation of these predispositions.

Hans Selye's General Adaptation Model

  • Stress response is the same regardless of the stressor.
  • Driven by the HPA axis (Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal axis).
  • Stages of stress response:
    • Alarm Reaction
    • Resistance
    • Exhaustion
  • Focus on physical effects of stress on the body.

Coping with Stress

Types of Coping

  • Problem-Focused Coping: Tackling the stressor to fix the problem.
  • Emotion-Focused Coping: Managing emotional responses to stress.
  • Social Support: Can serve both problem-focused and emotion-focused coping by discussing with friends.

Models of Health Behavior

Trans-Theoretical Model

  • Stages of behavioral change: pre-preparation, preparation, action.
  • Initially developed for smokers trying to quit.

Health Belief Model

  • Behavior is influenced by personal beliefs regarding outcomes and risks.
  • Belief in the benefits of change affects the likelihood of engaging in behaviors.

Theory of Planned Behavior

  • Focus on intention, social norms, and external events to predict behavior.
  • Relates to attitudes, intention to comply, and social norms.

Effects of Exercise on Psychological States

  • Increases self-esteem.
  • Decreases anxiety and depression.

Cognitive Biases in Illness Perception

Confirmation Bias

  • Focusing only on information that supports one's existing beliefs.

Misattribution

  • Incorrectly identifying the source of a problem.
  • Example: Misattributing tiredness to illness instead of lack of sleep.

Pain Modulation in the Brain

  • Periaqueductal Gray
  • Frontal Lobe
  • Hypothalamus
  • These areas form a network involved in modulating pain signals.

Chronic Illness, Terminal Illness, and Death

  • About 70% of Americans die from chronic illnesses.
  • Characteristics of chronic illnesses:
    • Vary by age of onset, remittance, and flare-ups.
    • Some develop late (e.g., Alzheimer's), while others early (e.g., asthma, type 1 diabetes).
    • Conditions can be acute or chronic (e.g., arthritis vs. joint pain).

These notes should help in preparation for the final exam. Review each theory and model thoroughly and understand the examples provided for cognitive biases and coping mechanisms.

Research demonstrates that exercise has several positive effects on psychological well-being. Specifically, it's been shown to:

  • Increase self-esteem: Physical activity can boost confidence and self-worth.
  • Decrease anxiety: Exercise helps reduce feelings of worry and nervousness.
  • Decrease depression: Regular physical activity can alleviate symptoms of depression.

It's important to note that the magnitude of these effects can vary depending on factors such as the type, intensity, and duration of exercise, as well as individual characteristics.

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