Deck 14: Section 1: Stress and Health

Question 1

Explain the relevance of the studies by Holmes and Rahe regarding the cumulative effect of life events on health.

Answer 1

The answer should indicate that Holmes and Rahe suggested that major life events induce stress and that cumulated stress can impair health. The notion is that the greater the number of stressful events (e.g., losing a job or experiencing the loss of a loved one) you experience, the more likely you are to become sick. A fascinating aspect of the researchers' work is the fact that positive events (getting married) can also increase the risk of illness.

Question 2

Explain what is meant by biofeedback therapy. Compare the effectiveness of biofeedback with traditional relaxation therapy.

Answer 2

The answer should include the following information: (1) Biofeedback involves the use of an external monitoring device to obtain information about a bodily function in order to possibly gain control over that function for example, body temperature or brainwave patterns; (2) Recent studies suggest that EEG biofeedback (or neurofeedback) is moderately successful in treating brain-wave abnormalities in disorders such as epilepsy and in teaching people to down-regulate activity in regions of the brain involved in the strong emotional responses seen in some forms of psychopathology, but often biofeedback therapy is no more effective than traditional relaxation therapy.

Question 3

Using examples, explain how people can use different coping strategies to reduce chronic stress reactions to a rape trauma.

Answer 3

This answer should include the following information: (1) One coping strategy is repressive coping, which involves avoiding situations or thoughts that are reminders of a stressor and maintaining an artificially positive viewpoint. This technique can reduce immediate stress reactions, but also can produce negative long-term consequences in some people. A rape survivor engaged in repressive coping might move to another city, avoid going to places similar to the rape setting, and become preoccupied with safety Reframing involves finding a new or creative way to think about a stressor that reduces its threat. One strategy is to utilize stress inoculation therapy to develop ways to think positively about the situation. Therapists can help their clients realize that their reactions following the rape are under their control. Here, expressive writing may help the client reframe the issue in a more constructive manner.

Question 4

Vicky has been a social worker for more than 25 years and complains that she no longer has the energy to do her job. She is cynical about whether she is making any difference at all in her clients' lives or the social system, and can't remember the last time she felt happy at work. What's going on? From your knowledge of psychology and stress, what suggestions might you offer Vicky?

Question 5

Describe the biological mechanisms underlying the fight-or-flight response.

Question 6

Assume that your parents are struggling with multiple stressors. Most notably, due to economic hardships, the bank has foreclosed upon the family home. Provide your parents with a list of strategies they might try to reduce their stress reactions.

Question 7

A friend has complained to you about being sick for much of the last month. He tells you that his allergies are unusually bad this semester and he has caught cold after cold. The week before finals, he found out his parents were getting a divorce, and the same week his girlfriend told him she was in love with his best friend. The dorm was so noisy he was unable to study for exams-if he had even been able to stay awake. He has tried drowning his troubles by drinking, but drinking only made him feel worse. What can you tell your friend about his stress level and how stress can affect his body? Include in your discussion the fight-or-flight response and the general adaptation syndrome. Suggest at least three ways your friend can begin to handle the stress in his life.

Question 8

Summarize the key elements of the general adaption syndrome (GAS).

Question 9

Richard is the executive chef at an upscale restaurant and exhibits a Type A behavior pattern. Within the context of his job, describe some aspects of Richard's behavior, and explain why Richard should be concerned about his cardiovascular health.

Question 10

Illustrate the concepts of primary and secondary appraisal in the context of a high school public speaking assignment.

Question 11

Explain the research focus of environmental psychology and give an example of this type of research.

Question 12

Describe how men and women differ in their use of social support to deal with stress, and discuss hormonal differences that may account for this difference.

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