STRESS, HEALTH & ILLNESS

What 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 stress
Internal- Originate from within a
person. Cancer, Depression
External- From outside a person,
including Situational stressors
Marriage or divorce, Birth, death,
illness.
Developmental stressors

Approaches to The Study of

Stress
There 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
environment

Three Views of Stress

Focus on the environment
Focus on the RESPONSE: Reaction to
stress: stress as a response (distress)
Focus On The Interaction Processes:
Cognitive

A General Definition
These 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 stress
The 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.