LP 11B stress and coping 1 What is stress? Stress: A type of response that typically involves an unpleasant state, such as anxiety or tension (page 469). Stressors: Something in the environment that is perceived as threatening or demanding and therefore produces stress (page 469).
LP 11B stress and coping 2
LP 11B stress and coping 3 Stress: Warning Signs How do we recognize when someone (including ourselves) is experiencing stress? Emotional signs Anxiety Apathy Irritability Mental fatigue Behavioral signs Avoidance of responsibilities and relationships escape/avoid Extreme or self-destructive behavior (e.g. cutting oneself) Self-neglect Poor judgment Physical signs Frequent illness Exhaustion Overuse of medicines Physical ailments and complaints Source: (Doctor and Doctor, 1994)
LP 11B stress and coping 4 Why is it important to recognize being stressed? 1. Notice the event No Yes 2. Interpret the situation as an emergency No Yes 3. Assume some responsibility for helping Yes No DO NOT HELP 4. Have knowledge on how to help or find help Yes No 5. Decide to help implementation Yes No Help the victim
LP 11B stress and coping 5 Sources of Stress Stressful Events o Major Life Event and Change o College Undergraduate Stress Scale (CUSS) Chronic Stressors o Daily Hassles
LP 11B stress and coping 6 Sources of Stress: Life Events and Change One early approach looked how an individual s life events and changes in their life produce stress.
LP 11B stress and coping 7 Sources of Stress: Life Events and Change The Social Readjustment Rating Scale was adapted for college students.
LP 11B stress and coping 8 Life events can cause stress in that your expectations and what is expected of you may change. For example, stress tends to increase in a family when the first child is born due to changes in roles and responsibilities.
Sources of Stress: Chronic Stressors (Daily Hassles) LP 11B stress and coping 9 Chronic stressors are a source of stress that occurs continuously or repeatedly. Those who report having a lot of daily hassles also report more psychological symptoms and physical symptoms of stress. These effects tend to have a greater and longer impact than major life changes. What are examples of daily hassles? Being late Losing your keys or wallet Waiting (in line for the bank, cash machine, for the doctor, at a traffic light) Cleaning up an unexpected mess Getting stuck in traffic Living near the airport
LP 11B stress and coping 10 People who express negative emotions such as anxiety, depression, anger or hostility report (perceive) more daily hassles than people who are generally in a positive mood, and they react much more intensely and with far greater distress to stressful events. In addition, they may be more likely to experience an episode of absentmindedness.
LP 11B stress and coping 11 In addition, negative emotions such as loneliness and depression can increase the levels of stress hormones that can adversely affect the immune system and are more likely to develop a chronic disease such as arthritis or heart disease. Illness stress Negative emotions
Sources of Stress: Chronic Stressors (Daily Hassles) All of these are exacerbated (made worse) when you are in a hurry. LP 11B stress and coping 12 Married women experienced both more daily hassles than men and had higher levels of psychological stress than their husbands. For women, family demands and interpersonal conflicts were the most frequent cause of stress. For men, sources of daily hassles were financial and job-related problems. The frequency of daily hassles is linked to both psychological distress and physical symptoms, such as headaches and backaches. The number of daily hassles is a better predictor of physical illness and symptoms than is the number of life event changes experienced.
LP 11B stress and coping 13 Common Daily Hassles Percentage of Students Experiencing the 10 Most Frequent Daily Hassles Too many responsibilities Concerns about getting ahead Concerns about standards Social obligations Health of a family member Misplacing or losing things Too many interruptions Troubling thoughts about the future Too many things to do Not enough time 62 62 62 64 66 73 75 79 82 86 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
LP 11B stress and coping 14 Percentage of Mothers Experiencing the 10 Most Frequent Daily Hassles Not enough personal energy 69 Physical appearance Health of a family member Too many things to do Home maintenance (inside) 70 70 71 71 Not getting enough sleep 73 Preparing meals 75 Planning meals Rising prices Not enough time 78 78 78 60 65 70 75 80 85 90
LP 11B stress and coping 15 10 Most Common Uplifts Percentage of People Experiencing the 10 Most Common Uplifts Home (inside) pleasing to you Spending time with family Visiting, phoning, or writing someone Meeting your responsibilities Eating out Getting enough sleep 65.5 66.7 67.7 68.4 68.4 69.7 Feeling healthy Completing a task Relating well with friends Relating well with spouse or lover 72.7 73.3 74.4 76.3 40 60 80 100