Question 1

What is associated with increased levels of immune activity?

Accepted Answer

High levels of social support have been consistently shown to be associated with increased levels of immune activity.

Question 2

Based on information about the effects of exercise and cytokines on the body's response to stress, which interaction appears to occur?

Accepted Answer

Stress-induced cytokine release can lead to chronic inflammation, which can increase the risk of illness in the body. However, regular exercise has been shown to reduce inflammation in the body, thereby reducing the risk of illness. Therefore, the interaction between exercise and cytokines involves exercise reducing the negative effects of cytokine release on the body's response to stress.

Question 3

Which one of the Big Five personality traits has been associated with greater longevity?

Accepted Answer

Conscientiousness has been consistently linked with greater longevity in multiple studies. This may be because conscientious individuals are more likely to engage in healthy behaviors, such as regular exercise, healthy eating habits, and avoiding risky behaviors like smoking and excessive alcohol consumption. Additionally, conscientious individuals are often more successful in their careers, which may provide them with greater access to healthcare and resources for maintaining good health.

Question 4

Which of the following is a common misconception about acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)?

Accepted Answer

Many people still believe that AIDS can be transmitted through casual contact, which is not the case. It can only be transmitted through specific bodily fluids such as blood, semen, vaginal secretions, and breast milk. This misconception can lead to discrimination against individuals with HIV/AIDS.

Question 5

Which individual is least likely to use a condom to prevent transmission of disease?

Accepted Answer

Someone who believes in a 'just world' is less likely to use a condom as they may believe that they are not at risk of contracting a disease since they feel that they live a morally upright life and, therefore, can't be punished for something they didn't do wrong.

Question 6

What should be enhanced, in order to increase the likelihood that patients will comply with medical advice?

Accepted Answer

Health-care professionals' communication skills are crucial in improving patient compliance with medical advice. Patients are more likely to follow medical advice if the healthcare professionals communicate clearly, explain the rationale behind the advice, and involve the patients in the decision-making process. Improved communication can lead to better patient understanding, which in turn may increase patients' motivation to comply with medical advice. While patients' knowledge of medicine is important, it may not be the most significant factor in promoting compliance. Similarly, enhancing patients' communication skills may be useful, but health-care professionals are responsible for ensuring that patients receive accurate and appropriate medical advice. Health-care professionals' knowledge of medicine is also essential, but without effective communication skills, they may not be able to transmit their knowledge effectively to patients.

Question 7

What would be predictive of the importance of social support for individuals from different cultures?

Accepted Answer

The individualist vs. collectivist cultural orientation is a strong predictor of the importance of social support. Collectivist cultures value group cohesion and support, whereas individualist cultures value self-reliance and independence. Therefore, understanding the cultural orientation can help determine the importance of social support for individuals. The severity of the stressor and the number of friends an individual has may impact the effectiveness of social support, but they cannot predict its importance across cultures. Sex may impact the type or source of social support used, but it is not a strong predictor of its importance.

Question 8

How does stress affect the immune system?

Accepted Answer

Stress has been found to weaken the immune system and reduce its ability to fight off infections and illnesses, making the body more vulnerable to illnesses. Chronic stress can also lead to long-term immune system disruption, increasing the risk of developing autoimmune diseases, allergies, and other health problems.

Question 9

Tia spends a lot of time with her family and friends, but she never really discusses her problems or worries with them. Still, she finds it very comforting to know that there are people around her who care about her. Which of the following does this example illustrate?

Accepted Answer

Tia is receiving implicit social support, as she feels comforted by the presence of people who care about her, even though she doesn't explicitly discuss her problems with them.

Question 10

Patients sometimes don't follow a doctor's instructions, or don't follow the instructions exactly as the doctor recommended. What is listed in the text as a common reason for such non-compliance?

Accepted Answer

The text states that "misunderstanding the instructions is a common reason for non-compliance".

Question 11

Rene has been smoking for several years, but he just quit. How long will it take, assuming he stays smoke-free, for his mortality risk to drop below his current mortality risk?

Accepted Answer

After quitting smoking, it takes at least 2 years for mortality risk to drop below the current mortality risk.

Question 12

Roommates Ava and Maryse both woke up yesterday with a headache, upset stomach, and muscle stiffness. While Ava was showering for her 9:00 am class, Maryse rushed off to the health clinic to see a doctor. Which of the following is more likely of Maryse, compared to Ava?

Accepted Answer

Maryse's decision to rush to the health clinic suggests she may have a higher level of anxiety and neuroticism, as these traits are associated with a heightened concern for health and a tendency to seek medical attention more urgently.

Question 13

Quinn has experienced a number of stressors lately, including some worries about money, final exams, and the health of her brother. She has a very positive outlook on the future, however, and feels that things will get better. She keeps on working, and studying, and spending time helping her brother out. Which trait does this example illustrate?

Accepted Answer

Quinn's positive outlook on the future despite experiencing stressors demonstrates optimism as a trait. The other options (fantasy, overcompensation, extraversion) do not fit the scenario described.

Question 14

Which individual should have the weakest immune system, based on the type of stressor experienced?

Accepted Answer

Chronic stress, such as the prolonged stress of trying to find a job for months, can weaken the immune system more significantly than acute stressors like a report due tomorrow or a near car accident.

Question 15

When would university health clinics most likely expect to experience an increase in students seeking treatment for colds and other minor illnesses?

Accepted Answer

During finals week, students are under a lot of stress and often neglect their health, leading to an increase in the spread of illnesses. Additionally, this time of the semester coincides with colder weather, which can also contribute to a higher incidence of colds and other minor illnesses. The other options (A, B, and D) do not have any specific reasons that would make them more likely times for an increase in student health clinic visits.

Question 16

What has been demonstrated to be a barrier to effective communication between health-care providers and their patients?

Accepted Answer

Medical visits are often brief and do not allow for in-depth discussions, which can hinder effective communication between healthcare providers and their patients. This can lead to patients feeling unheard or misunderstood, which can have negative consequences for their health outcomes.

Question 17

People sometimes delay seeking medical attention, even for medical emergencies like heart attacks. Which of the following is NOT one of the primary reasons that people delay seeking medical attention under such circumstances?

Accepted Answer

The answer of People sometimes delay seeking medical attention, even...

Question 18

How much shorter is the estimated life expectancy of the average smoker compared to the average non-smoker?

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that the estimated life expectancy of the average smoker is shortened by 13-14 years compared to the average non-smoker.

Question 19

Which of the known benefits of regular exercise can be described as a "pleasant surprise" for researchers?

Accepted Answer

Facilitation of neurogenesis was a pleasant surprise for researchers, as they did not anticipate exercise to have such a profound effect on the growth of neurons in the brain. Other benefits of exercise, such as decreased risk of heart disease and respiratory difficulties, have been well-documented and expected. The decreased risk of migraine headaches is still being explored and is not as widely recognized as a known benefit of exercise.

Question 20

What appears to mediate the relationship between stress and illness?

Accepted Answer

Chronic inflammation caused by cytokine production appears to mediate the relationship between stress and illness. This is because prolonged activation of the stress response leads to increased production of cytokines, which in turn lead to chronic inflammation and a higher risk of developing various illnesses.

Quiz 13: B: Stress, Coping, and Health