Learning Objectives How do psychologists define stress? What kinds of events and situations can cause stress? How can stress affect physiological and psychological health? Stress TPS (Think, Pair, Share) You have 2-3 minutes to do the following with a partner: Think of a job, or work situation (chores, babysitting, community work) youve done that was stressful. What was it about the work or job that made it stressful? What occupation do you think would be the most stressful and why? Stress Stress - the process by which we perceive and respond to certain events, called stressors, that we appraise as threatening or challenging. Stress Stressors - events that cause a stress reaction. External Internal Stress Perception plays a significant role in stress Threat Opportunity Stress What kind of events and situations can cause stress? Any life event that requires people to change or adapt Stress Distress - the effect of unpleasant and undesirable stressors. Stress Eustress - the effect of positive events, or the optimal amount of stress that people need to promote health and well-being. Stress Major Life Events - cause stress by requiring adjustment. Catastrophe - an unpredictable, large- scale event that creates a tremendous need to adapt and adjust as well as overwhelming feelings of threat. Stress Major Life Events - cause stress by requiring adjustment. Hassles the daily annoyances of everyday life The bulk of stress experienced on a daily basis from little frustrations, delays, disagreements and annoyances Stress Stress Assessment Social Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRS) - assessment that measures the amount of stress in a person's life over a one-year period resulting from major life events. College Undergraduate Stress Scale (CUSS) - assessment that measures the amount of stress in a college student's life over a one-year period resulting from major life events. LO 15.1 Two modern ways to treat psychological disorders Stress College Undergraduate Stress Scale Scores of 150 or below are not associated with significant problems 150 199 mild life crisis with 33% increased risk of illness or accident 200 299 moderate life crisis with 50% increased risk of illness or accident 300 and above major life crisis with 80% increased risk of illness or accident Stress Response Autonomic nervous system consists of: Sympathetic system - responds to stressful events Parasympathetic system - restores the body to normal functioning after the stress has ceased. Stress Response Fight or Flight Stress activates the sympathetic nervous system, preparing the body for action. Hans Selye named the response to stress: General Adaptive Syndrome (GAS) Stress Response General Adaptive Syndrome Stress Response The Flight response to stress may include: Withdrawal Pulling back Paralysis Seek and/or give support StressandIllness Stress and the Immune System Immune system - the system of cells, organs, and chemicals of the body that responds to attacks from diseases, infections, and injuries. Negatively affected by stress. Lymphocytes two types of white blood cells that are part of the bodys immune system Stressed people are more vulnerable to colds Stress and the Immune System Stressed people are more vulnerable to coronary heart disease. Stress and the Immune System Personality also plays a role: Type A people, those who are competitive, hard-driving, impatient, verbally aggressive and anger-prone, are more at risk than Type B people. Stressed people are more vulnerable to coronary heart disease. Stress and the Immune System Stressed people are more vulnerable to coronary heart disease. Stress and the Immune System Personality also plays a role: Pessimists are more at risk than optimists. Stressed people are more vulnerable to coronary heart disease. Stress and the Immune System Stressed people are more vulnerable to coronary heart disease. Stress and the Immune System Personality also plays a role: Depression increases the risk of death by unnatural causes and heart disease. Stressed people are more vulnerable to coronary heart disease. Stress and the Immune System Stress Reduction People with religious beliefs also have been found to cope better with stressful events. Stress Reduction Exercise Social activities Getting enough sleep Eating healthy foods Having fun Managing one's time Practicing good coping skills