Lecture 2: Stress and Coping || PSY260: Health Psychology

Summary

This video explores the complex world of stress, delving into its physiology, sources, and coping mechanisms. It explains stress as a process of perception and response, highlighting the roles of appraisal and the body’s physiological systems, such as the SAM and HPA axes. The video also covers the diverse sources of stress, including life events, daily hassles, and socio-cultural factors. Different coping strategies are discussed, including problem-focused and emotion-focused approaches. Key models such as the General Adaptation Syndrome and Tend and Befriend are introduced, alongside methods to manage stress like relaxation techniques, mindfulness, and social support.

Takeaways

• 😀 Stress is a complex, multifaceted phenomenon that involves both physiological responses and psychological perceptions.
• 😀 The appraisal process, how we perceive and evaluate stressors, plays a central role in determining how we react to stress.
• 😀 Stress can be categorized into 'good stress' (challenge) when resources are sufficient, and 'bad stress' (threat) when resources are lacking.
• 😀 Stress can arise from diverse sources including significant life events (e.g., marriage, loss), daily hassles, work-related stressors, and socio-cultural factors like discrimination.
• 😀 Social support plays a key role in buffering against stress, although caregiving itself can be a significant source of stress.
• 😀 Stress responses are not uniform across individuals, with factors such as gender, genetics, and past experiences influencing reactions.
• 😀 The body's stress response involves two major systems: the fast-acting SAM axis (fight or flight) and the slower HPA axis (chronic stress response).
• 😀 Chronic stress, particularly from the HPA axis, can increase the risk of illness and affect the immune system.
• 😀 The transactional model of stress emphasizes that how we interpret and cope with stressors is crucial in determining the level of stress we experience.
• 😀 The diathesis-stress model suggests that some individuals are more vulnerable to stress-related illnesses due to predisposing factors, such as genetic or environmental vulnerabilities.
• 😀 Coping strategies can be broadly divided into problem-focused and emotion-focused approaches, with effectiveness depending on the stressor's nature and the individual’s dispositional factors like optimism and resilience.

Q & A

What is the modern understanding of stress?

Stress is understood as a process involving how we perceive and respond to events that challenge us, rather than just a stimulus or a response. Central to this process is the concept of appraisal, which involves evaluating and understanding stressors in our lives.

What are the differences between 'good stress' and 'bad stress'?

'Good stress' occurs when we have the resources to cope with a challenge and is seen as a motivating force. 'Bad stress' arises when we feel we lack the necessary resources to handle a situation, leading to negative physical and mental consequences.

What are some common sources of stress?

Stress can arise from significant life events such as marriage, moving, or the loss of a loved one, as well as daily hassles like traffic or work-related challenges. Socio-cultural factors like discrimination and poverty can also contribute to chronic stress.

How does stress affect different life stages?

Different life stages present unique stressors. For example, emerging adulthood involves a transition from adolescence to adulthood, which can be a source of stress. Childhood trauma and prenatal stress can also have long-lasting effects on stress responses into adulthood.

What physiological systems are involved in the body's response to stress?

The body's response to stress involves the brain, nervous system, and endocrine system. The sympathetic-adreno-medullary (SAM) system activates the 'fight or flight' response, while the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis helps the body cope with longer-term stress.

How does the SAM system work during stress?

The SAM system releases epinephrine (adrenaline) to prepare the body for quick action by increasing heart rate, respiration, and muscle strength. It focuses resources on fighting or fleeing, shutting down less essential bodily functions.

What is the role of cortisol in stress response?

Cortisol, a hormone produced by the adrenal cortex, plays a key role in responding to long-term stress. It helps regulate metabolism and energy production, enabling the body to sustain itself through prolonged stressors like famine or cold weather.

What is the 'tend and befriend' model of stress?

The 'tend and befriend' model, proposed by Shelley Taylor, suggests that women are more likely to respond to stress by protecting their offspring ('tend') and seeking social support ('befriend'), in contrast to the 'fight or flight' response often associated with men.

What is the difference between problem-focused and emotion-focused coping strategies?

Problem-focused coping involves addressing the source of stress directly, while emotion-focused coping focuses on managing emotional responses to stress. The effectiveness of each strategy depends on the controllability of the stressor and the individual’s circumstances.

How does social support impact stress management?

Social support can buffer the effects of stress, helping individuals cope more effectively. It can provide emotional comfort and practical help, which enhances the body's ability to handle stress and may improve overall health outcomes.