STRESS, HEALTH & ILLNESS

STRESS, HEALTH & ILLNESSWhat is stress? Definition: any circumstances that threaten or are perceived to threaten one's well-being and thereby tax one's coping abilities .Stress is generally known as pattern of disruptive physiological and psychological reaction to events that threaten the ability to cope. It has become an important topic because it is clear that the pattern of disease, especially cardiovascular disease, and other diseases such as gastrointestinal, skin, immune system, and respiratory diseases cannot be explained simply by physiological factors alone.Sources of stressInternal- Originate from within a person. Cancer, Depression External- From outside a person, including Situational stressors Marriage or divorce, Birth, death, illness. Developmental stressorsApproaches to The Study of StressThere are many approaches to the study of stress. Generally researchers have conceptualized stress in three Ways. In one approach, stress is seen as a stimulus, and studies focus on the impact of stressors (events).Another approach treats stress as a response and examines the strains that the stressors produce (e.g. the the physiological consequences.The third approach views stress as a process that involves continuous interaction and adjustment- or transaction- between the person and the environmentThree Views of StressFocus on the environment Focus on the RESPONSE: Reaction to stress: stress as a response (distress) Focus On The Interaction Processes: CognitiveA General DefinitionThese viewpoints have led to the definition of stress as the condition that results when a person/environment transactions leads the individual to perceive a discrepancy between the demands of the situation and the resources of the persons biological, psychological, and social systems.Models of stressThe Stimulus-Based Model of Stress Holmes and Rahes advanced this theory. It proposed that life changes (LIFE EVENTS) or (STRESSORS), either positive or negative, are stressors that tax the adaptation capacity of an individual, causing physiological and psychological strains that lead to health problems. The Response-Based Model This model emphasizes the common physiological consequences of stressful situation. It is represented in the well-known theory of Hans Selye. It is similar to the Fight or Flight response, which occurs in situation that perceived as very threatening. The response is a physiological one in which arousal of the sympathetic nervous system results in many physiological and somatic changes and finally disruption of homeostasis.The Response-Based Model of Stress Selye developed this idea into a theoretical model of stress called the General Adaptation Syndrome theory. He defined stress as (a non-specific response and demand made upon the body). He proposed that different types of stimuli would result in similar physiological responses.The Transactional Model of Stress Lazarus& Folkman(1 980) proposed the third approach. They criticized the first and the second models mentioned above as treating people as machines. They believe that people have the capacity to think, evaluate, and then react. Thinking can make stress either better or worse. Lazarus developed an interaction theory, which emphasize the role of cognition. This theory proposed that people engage in TWO- STAGE PROCESS of appraisal Primary Appraisal Process: Determine whether the event represents a threat to the individual. This results in three outcomes: 1.Events regarded as irrelevant. 2.Events regarded as positive to well being. 3.Events regarded as negative to well being. This negative appraisal leads to: Secondary Appraisal Process: Here the individuals assess their COPING RESOURCES. These resources include environmental factors, social support or help, knowledge, and skills to reduce this threat.