Deck 5: Stress and Physical and Mental Health

Question 1

Which of the following is not considered a life change?

A) Being promoted
B) Being diabetic
C) Getting pregnant
D) A death in the family

Answer 1

Being diabetic

Question 2

One factor NOT related to a person's ability to cope is

A) intelligence.
B) better social support.
C) the 5HT-TLPR gene.
D) early life stress.

Answer 2

intelligence.

Question 3

What is the difference between a stressor and a crisis?

A) There is no difference, these are just two words for the same thing.
B) While all crises are stressors, not all stressors are crises.
C) There is a biological response to stress, but not to crisis.
D) A stressor is an unexpected crisis.

Answer 3

While all crises are stressors, not all stressors are crises.

Question 4

Stress tolerance is

A) a biological attribute.
B) a pressure.
C) a person's ability to withstand stress without becoming seriously impaired.
D) a crisis for most people.

Question 5

All of the following involve psychological disturbances that occur in response to an identifiable experience EXCEPT

A) adjustment disorder.
B) acute stress disorder.
C) depression.
D) post-traumatic stress disorder.

Question 6

What do eustress and distress have in common?

A) They usually last indefinitely.
B) Both occur without warning.
C) They have an equivalent potential for causing lasting damage.
D) Both tax one's resources and coping skills.

Question 7

What is a not key factor in making a stressor more serious?

A) How long it lasts
B) How severe it is
C) Its type or category
D) How expected it is

Question 8

Distress is

A) seen when a situation is ambiguous.
B) a response to a happy life event.
C) the same thing as eustress.
D) a response to a negative event.

Question 9

The development of new methods of coping

A) may be an outcome of a crisis.
B) always occurs when adaptive capabilities are exceeded.
C) increases the expectation of future failures.
D) is continuously needed as we face new stressors on a daily basis.

Question 10

Who is likely to have the most severe stress?

A) Anne, who is planning her wedding
B) Bill, who has a deadline the next day for an important project
C) Lauren, who sees the clean-up of an accident and finds out later it involved one of her friends
D) Josh, who has just been told he has cancer and whose wife announces she is leaving him when he tells her the news

Question 11

Selye

A) recognized that both happy and sad life events can be sources of stress.
B) conducted extensive research on the effects of stress on the immune system.
C) failed to acknowledge the role of the environment in adapting to stress.
D) focused on the cognitive component of the stress response.

Question 12

Coping strategies are

A) efforts to deal with stress.
B) efforts to avoid conflict.
C) the same thing as eustress.
D) the dynamic interaction between the types of stressors and the person.

Question 13

Which of the following would most likely be a source of eustress?

A) Graduating from high school
B) Finding out that a loved one has cancer
C) Getting a divorce
D) Losing your job

Question 14

According to research on the Social Readjustment Rating Scale,

A) individuals with lower life change unit scores are more likely to develop a serious illness.
B) death of a spouse is equally stressful for men and women.
C) stress does not accumulate over time.
D) there is a positive correlation between life change unit scores and the likelihood of developing a serious illness.

Question 15

According to the text, the term "stress" will be used to refer to

A) only those external events in our lives that challenge us.
B) any positive demand made on an organism.
C) the effects of external stressors.
D) anything that makes us unhappy.

Question 16

The term "crisis" refers to:

A) any time when a stressful situation exceeds one's ability to cope.
B) encountering a number of stressors simultaneously.
C) a period of especially acute stress.
D) any encounter that requires a readjustment of self concept.

Question 17

Crisis is

A) a double avoidance conflict.
B) when the individual cannot make a decision.
C) an internal pressure.
D) when a stressful situation overwhelms the individual.

Question 18

In DSM-IV-TR, psychosocial stressors

A) are not specified.
B) are specified on Axis II.
C) are specified on Axis III.
D) are specified on Axis IV.

Question 19

Which of the following is not one of the basic categories of stressors?

A) Goals
B) Conflicts
C) Frustrations
D) Pressures

Question 20

In order to be considered a severe stressor, the stressor must

A) be considered severe by most people in the population.
B) involve death or serious injury.
C) cause significant disruption to a person's functioning.
D) continue on for a long time.

Question 21

The stress glucocorticoid that is produced in humans is called

A) adrenalin
B) estrogen
C) cortisol
D) repression

Question 22

All of the following are parts of the stress response EXCEPT

A) the hypothalamus
B) the cerebellum
C) the adrenal medulla
D) the pituitary

Question 23

Which of the following is true?

A) The slower life changes occur, the more stress is experienced.
B) The faster life changes occur, the greater stress is experienced.
C) The speed of life change has not been studied in relation to experienced stress.
D) The speed of life change has been proven to be unrelated to experienced stress.

Question 24

The Life Events and Difficulty Schedule

A) is another name for the Social Readjustment Rating Scale.
B) allows the rater to consider the person's unique circumstances.
C) was developed prior to the Social Readjustment Rating Scale.
D) does not provide any more information than the Social Readjustment Rating Scale.

Question 25

Why are airplane crashes typically more traumatic for those involved than natural disasters?

A) Most airports do not have a disaster plan.
B) Crisis counseling is usually not available.
C) The victims are likely to be far from home.
D) There is no one to blame for the accident.

Question 26

The Life Event and Difficulty Schedule

A) provides a quick way to assess stress responses and coping skills.
B) includes cognitive factors in its examination of the impact of life events.
C) focuses on how difficult life events are handled.
D) provides a timeline for describing the stress response.

Question 27

Which of the following is the biological cascade that is activated with prolonged stress?

A) The adrenal-hypothalamic-prefrontal axis
B) The cortical-thalamic-neural axis
C) The psycho-neuro-biological axis
D) The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis

Question 28

An individual with a high stress tolerance

A) can function well in the face of a high level of stress.
B) is likely to be particularly vulnerable to slight frustration.
C) may feel threatened more readily than those with low stress tolerance.
D) is particularly vulnerable to acute stress disorder.

Question 29

Cognitive factors

A) always serve to minimize stress reactions.
B) can create stress.
C) have no impact on how the body responds to a challenge.
D) alone determine what effect a traumatic event will have on the immune system.

Question 30

After the Northridge earthquake in Southern California, during which part of a heavily traveled freeway collapsed, many people noted that it was lucky that this tragedy occurred on a holiday as there were few people on the road that early Monday morning. Does this "it could it have been worse" sentiment moderate the effects of this natural disaster?

A) No, finding a "benefit" during such a tragedy is morbid.
B) Yes, such feelings have been shown to increase the negative impact of comparable natural disasters.
C) Yes, finding a "benefit" such as this has been shown to aid in adapting to such stressors.
D) No, cognitive factors have consistently been shown to have no impact on stress responses.

Question 31

Which of the following will lessen the impact of stress on a person?

A) Positive social and family relationships
B) Having family relationships, even if they are tense
C) Being single and alone, there is less for the person to cope with
D) Having a lot of extremely stressful experiences in the past

Question 32

Cortisol

A) is always stable in humans.
B) does not respond to stress.
C) prepares the body for fight or flight.
D) prepares the body for sleep.

Question 33

Which of the following is a criticism of the life event scales?

A) They do not recognize that joyful events can be stressful.
B) They limit the kind of events that can be reported.
C) They do not recognize that multiple life changes will produce greater stress.
D) No relationship has been found between illness and scores on these scales.

Question 34

A risk factor is

A) something about the nature of a stressor that makes it worse for most people.
B) something in a person's history that makes him or her more vulnerable to stress.
C) something in a person's learning experiences that makes him or her thrill seekers.
D) something in a person's genetic makeup that makes him or her respond well to stress.

Question 35

I often find that when I am ill, I am not able to cope effectively with the normal hassles of life. I find myself becoming irritated by things that I would usually be able to ignore. Which of the following would explain this phenomenon?

A) When using resources to deal with one stressor, the ability to tolerate additional stressors may be compromised.
B) Major life changes may impair the ability to cope effectively with daily hassles.
C) During the exhaustion phase of the general adaptation syndrome illness becomes likely.
D) Allostatic load leads to psychological and biological vulnerability.

Question 36

Psychoneuroimmunology is

A) the interaction between the mind and the behavior.
B) the interaction between the nervous system and the immune system.
C) the relationship between neurons and GABA.
D) the interaction between the defensive psyche and behavior.

Question 37

Which of the following will lessen the impact of a stressful situation?

A) Holding unrealistic expectations about the stressor
B) Minimizing the use of social support
C) Preparing for the stressor
D) Being uncertain as to how long the stressor will persist

Question 38

B-cells are

A) cells that engulf antigens.
B) cells that produce antibodies.
C) cells that harm the immune system.
D) cells that are antigens.

Question 39

Despite all the criticisms of the use of life stress scales,

A) the finding that life change produces stress has been supported by other work.
B) today's approaches to assessing the effects of life events are no better.
C) they are still the preferred method for measuring reactions to specific environmental events.
D) their reliability and validity was never challenged.

Question 40

All of the following statements are true EXCEPT

A) the response an individual will have to a stressor can be readily predicted.
B) cognitive factors play a role in determining the severity of stress.
C) some people are predisposed to respond poorly to demands.
D) changes in the level of external supports one has will likely alter stress reactions.

Question 41

Estimates of the prevalence of PTSD

A) have not been made.
B) indicate that most people who experience a traumatic event develop PTSD.
C) demonstrate that it is more commonly seen in women.
D) find that it rarely exists as a comorbid condition.

Question 42

Arielle was in a terrible car accident where several people were killed. A few weeks later, she has begun to talk about what happened. She tells the story to anyone who will listen. This seems to be

A) a way to reduce anxiety and desensitize herself to the experience.
B) a maladaptive coping response that will heighten her distress.
C) a sign that she is beginning to develop PTSD.
D) a sign that she is in the shock stage of disaster syndrome.

Question 43

A main symptom of PTSD is

A) development of stress-related diseases.
B) reexperiencing of the traumatic event.
C) panic attacks when remembering the trauma.
D) depression.

Question 44

PTSD

A) is rarely seen in the victims of disasters.
B) usually develops in the shock stage of what has been called the "disaster syndrome."
C) symptoms characterize the suggestible stage of the "disaster syndrome."
D) may develop in the recovery stage of the "disaster syndrome."

Question 45

What is a symptom of hypertension?

A) A person is always light-headed.
B) A person may show no symptoms of it.
C) A person's skin feels unusually warm.
D) A person has persistent indigestion.

Question 46

What is Type D personality type?

A) The "depressed" type
B) The "dysfunctional" type
C) The "distressed" type
D) The "detached" type

Question 47

Work-related stress can elevate risk of coronary heart disease by which key factors?

A) A highly demanding job and little opportunity for advancement
B) A highly demanding job and little decision-making control
C) A highly demanding job and Type B personality
D) A highly demanding job and introversion

Question 48

PTSD

A) rarely occurs with other disorders.
B) develops in about 20% of those who report having experienced a traumatic event.
C) symptoms vary considerably depending on the characteristics of the trauma and the victim.
D) must develop within four weeks of the precipitating event in order for a diagnosis to be made.

Question 49

For an adjustment disorder, the symptoms must appear within months of the stressor?

A) two
B) nine
C) three
D) six

Question 50

Which of the following represents normal blood pressure?

A) 140/100
B) 140/80
C) 120/80
D) 120/100

Question 51

Clyde is unmarried and has few friends. Why is he at greater risk for developing coronary heart disease?

A) He is unlikely to seek help if he notices problems.
B) Social isolation has been associated with increased risk of the disease.
C) He has no knowledge of his problems.
D) He is socially awkward and thus has increased risks for disease.

Question 52

Acute stress disorder becomes PTSD when

A) the trauma is an event out of the realm of normal life experience.
B) the symptoms last for more than 2 weeks.
C) the symptoms last for more than 4 weeks.
D) the symptoms begin within 6 months of the trauma.

Question 53

Which cytokine has been associated with depression and caring for family members with Alheizeimer's disease?

A) HIV
B) Adrenaline
C) GABA
D) Interleukin-6

Question 54

Which was not an effective treatment for stress-related disorders, according to your text?

A) Psychoanalysis
B) Emotional Disclosure
C) Meditation
D) Biofeedback

Question 55

Although divorce is now far more acceptable than it was in previous years, why do those going through a divorce still find it extremely stressful?

A) Few friends find it easy to accept.
B) The person is likely to make more money than previously.
C) Religious leaders support it.
D) Economic uncertainites are difficult to predict.

Question 56

According to Davidson and his colleagues 2000), constructive anger was associated with

A) lower destructive hostility.
B) higher destructive hostility.
C) higher self-reported anxiety.
D) lower objectivity of the situation.

Question 57

The field of psychoneuroimmunology

A) focuses on the relationship between stress and mental illness.
B) explores the neurological basis of autoimmune conditions.
C) seeks to establish a link between psychological functioning and vulnerability to illness.
D) examines the effects of stressors on the immune system.

Question 58

What seems to be the most important component for coronary heart disease in the Type A behavior pattern?

A) Hostility
B) Time urgency
C) Competitiveness
D) Work commitment

Question 59

Which is not a stressor linked to immunosuppression, according to the text?

A) Vacation
B) Sleep deprivation
C) Spaceflight
D) Death of a spouse

Question 60

Prolonged stress leads to suppression of the immune system. What might explain the evolution of such a seemingly flawed reaction?

A) There is no reasonable explanation for this.
B) Susceptibility to disease would increase the likelihood of an early death.
C) Immune suppression has no lasting effects on overall health.
D) Such immune suppression might prevent the development of autoimmune illnesses.

Question 61

Stress-inoculation training

A) involves learning new ways to think about an anticipated threat and then applying these techniques to several different types of threats.
B) prepares one to deal with a stressor by considering solutions to the problems that are likely to arise.
C) is a form of cognitive preparation that can be used to minimize the impact of any life challenge.
D) can be used to prepare for most any disaster.

Question 62

Having a history of psychological problems before going into combat

A) will make a soldier much more likely to develop PTSD.
B) will make a soldier much more likely to develop PTSD only if the combat situation is extreme.
C) sometimes increases risk of PTSD, but may lower it because the person is actually used to anxiety and copes automatically.
D) doesn't have an impact on developing PTSD.

Question 63

Which of the following will lower a soldier's risk of developing PTSD?

A) No prior experience in combat
B) Believing strongly in the goals of the combat
C) Whether he or she is in combat in a familiar country or not
D) Whether he or she talks about experiences

Question 64

Why should we study the causal factors in PTSD, since we already know traumatic events cause it?

A) Because if we do not study it, we will not diagnose it.
B) Political lobbying requires the study of it.
C) Victims often feel guilt about their reaction to the trauma.
D) Because not everyone who is exposed to a trauma develops PTSD.

Question 65

"Combat exhaustion" is known as today.

A) acute stress disorder
B) shell shock
C) PTSD
D) war neurosis

Question 66

During WWII the descriptors of the traumatic reactions seen to combat conditions

A) emphasized that these were a product of organic processes.
B) placed too much emphasis on physical exhaustion.
C) did not differentiate these reactions from other psychological problems, such as drug abuse.
D) were comparable to what is now called acute stress disorder.

Question 67

Which of the following statements about combat and PTSD is true?

A) Sleep disturbances are rarely seen.
B) There are few similarities seen between wars.
C) Actual combat involvement is the only stressor in a war zone.
D) A wound may act to decrease the anxiety experienced while in combat.

Question 68

Which is not an individual risk factor for developing PTSD?

A) Lower levels of social support
B) Having a family history of depression
C) Believing that their symptoms are a sign of personal strength
D) Being neurotic

Question 69

Short-term crisis therapy

A) typically consists of six to ten sessions.
B) rarely involves family members or other medical personnel.
C) begins with the assumption that the affected individual was functioning well before the current crisis.
D) is usually provided by a trained lay person.

Question 70

It is believed that the incidence of combat exhaustion during WWII has been underestimated because

A) there was a debate as to how to differentiate between combat exhaustion and PTSD.
B) many men were treated in the field and never formally diagnosed.
C) those who were discharged for medical reasons were not counted when estimates were made.
D) many men who were diagnosed with the brain disorder "shell shock" were probably suffering from combat exhaustion.

Question 71

Feelings of control over stressors

A) do not make a difference when it comes to extremely severe stressors like torture.
B) can make a difference even for victims of torture - if the person feels he or she has some control, he or she tends to be less affected by the stressor over the long term.
C) can make people feel worse because they believe they should have been able to change what happened.
D) can make a difference even for victims of torture - if the person feels he or she has some control, he or she tends to be more affected by the stressor over the long term.

Question 72

In the final phase of stress-inoculation training

A) self-statements designed to promote effective adaptation are learned.
B) newly acquired coping skills are applied.
C) information about the stressful situation is provided.
D) physical consequences of stress are examined.

Question 73

Why is there such a high likelihood of long-lasting psychological problems resulting from active combat experiences?

A) Research has revealed that those who enlist are more likely to be emotionally unstable.
B) When task-oriented coping strategies are ineffective, emotional breakdown is inevitable.
C) Combat situations present highly stressful situations for which there may be no truly effective coping mechanisms.
D) Basic training is ineffective at preparing new recruits for any of the challenges they will likely face.

Question 74

When POWs first return,

A) their PTSD symptoms are at their worst.
B) their PTSD symptoms are mild and gradually get worse over time.
C) their relief and joy at being released often masks the trauma's effects.
D) they show little symptoms from stress, then or later.

Question 75

At very high levels of stress

A) information about psychological vulnerability accounts for most of the stress- response variance.
B) the likelihood of PTSD is greater for men than for women.
C) personality may play a role in decreasing vulnerability to stress.
D) the likelihood of acute stress disorder is greater for men than for women.

Question 76

In what way do the responses of soldiers who were most physically wounded differ from the non-wounded in developing combat stress?

A) The wounded showed more anxiety.
B) The wounded showed less anxiety.
C) The wounded showed more psychosis.
D) The wounded showed less psychosis.

Question 77

Following a disaster, debriefing sessions

A) provide those involved with a chance to share their feelings and concerns.
B) are not necessary for experienced disaster workers.
C) tend to increase the anxiety felt by many victims.
D) should be conducted by professionals.

Question 78

What was not a result of the psychological stress following being a prisoner of war?

A) Higher death rate
B) More diabetes
C) Overwhelming anger at minor events
D) Frequent alcohol or drug dependence

Question 79

The impact of torture

A) is always a severe level of PTSD.
B) can vary depending on the type of torture used.
C) can vary depending on if the torture was perceived as uncontrollable or not.
D) depends on whether the person previously had another psychological disorder.

Question 80

For which of the following would the use of stress-inoculation training be most effective?

A) Preparing for chemotherapy
B) Dealing with the aftermath of a rape
C) Coping with the loss of a loved one
D) Minimizing the impact of losing one's home