Health Science Human and Social Dimension

Dr. M. L. HoltLecture Six

Morgan State University

WorkStress in the workplace increases the risk of

diseaseIn general, having a job is better for health

than having no job People who have more control over their

work have better healthEvidence shows that stress at work plays an

important role in contributing to the large social status differences in health, sickness absence and premature death

Definitions Stressors

Demands made by internal or external environment that upset balance, thus affecting psychical, psychological well being

Require some level of action to restore balance and equilibrium

Transactional Model of Stress and Coping

A framework of evaluating processes of coping with stressful events

All stressful experiences, including chronic illnesses, are perceived as person-environment transactions

Key constructs Primary appraisal Secondary appraisal Coping effects Meaning based coping Adaptation

Transactional Model of Stress and Coping

Constructs

Primary appraisal (Am I ok?)Evaluation of the significance of a stressor or

threatening event

Secondary appraisal (How much control do I have?)Evaluation of the controllability of the

stressor and a person’s coping resources

Transactional Model of Stress and Coping

Constructs

Coping effects Actual strategies used to mediate primary and

secondary appraisal

Problem Focused Coping – based on a person’s capability to think and alter the environmental event or situation

Emotion Focused Coping – the focus is on altering the way one thinks or feels about a situation or event

Transactional Model of Stress and Coping

Constructs cont.

Meaning based copingCoping process that induce positive emotions,

which in turn sustains the coping process by allowing reenactments of problem or emotion based coping

Adaptation Emotional well being, functions status, health

behaviors

Transactional Model of Stress and Coping

Application #5

Step 1: Identify a stressor in your life

• A stressor in my life is Illness, including minor stressors such

as a flu and cold , and major stressors, such as cancer or heart

disease

Step 2: Choose primary or secondary appraisal and identify why you choose that one

• I have chosen a primary appraisal. This is because during primary

appraisal a person can seek answers to the meaning of the

situation with regard to their well being.

Step 3: Identify some coping effect strategies to apply to your stressor

• Filling up every minute to avoid facing problems.

• Taking out your stress on others (lashing out, corporeal violence, annoyed outbursts.

• Withdrawing from acquaintances, relations, and activities.

• Sleeping too much

Transactional Model of Stress and Coping

Step 4: Identify some meaning based coping strategies to apply to your stressor

The coping strategies include :

• Avoiding

• Altering

•Adapting

• Accepting

Transactional Model of Stress and Coping

Step 5: Identify three adaptations of dealing with your stressor

• Avoidance of peers who can stress you.

• Learning to say no ,that is, knowing your limits and sticking to

them.

• Having control over the environment.

Transactional Model of Stress and Coping