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Understanding Stress Theory

The document discusses stress theory and stress management. It defines stress as the reaction to anxiety-producing stimuli that challenges one's ability to cope. Walter Cannon first described the fight-or-flight response and Hans Selye proposed the general adaptation syndrome to explain the body's three-stage response to long-term stress. Theories about the causes of stress include life events theory, hardiness theory, and social support theory. The cumulative biological effects of stress responses are called allostatic load, and prolonged stress exposure can lead to physical, psychological, and behavioral strains. Stress management aims to limit the harmful effects of stress while using some stress as motivation.

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Jairo Esguerra Mangune
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37 views18 pages

Understanding Stress Theory

The document discusses stress theory and stress management. It defines stress as the reaction to anxiety-producing stimuli that challenges one's ability to cope. Walter Cannon first described the fight-or-flight response and Hans Selye proposed the general adaptation syndrome to explain the body's three-stage response to long-term stress. Theories about the causes of stress include life events theory, hardiness theory, and social support theory. The cumulative biological effects of stress responses are called allostatic load, and prolonged stress exposure can lead to physical, psychological, and behavioral strains. Stress management aims to limit the harmful effects of stress while using some stress as motivation.

Uploaded by

Jairo Esguerra Mangune
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

STRESS THEORY

1-1
Before we begin, ask yourself…

• What stresses you out?


• How do you deal with stress?

1-2
What is Stress?

• A reaction to an anxiety-producing
stimulus (disaster, emergency, etc.)
• The World Health Organization (WHO)
defines stress as "the reaction people may
have when presented with demands and
pressures that are not matched to their
knowledge and abilities and which
challenge their ability to cope."
• It is not a disease. 1-3
Pioneers in Stress and Stress
Management: Walter Cannon
• First to describe body’s reaction to acute
stress
• Named this reaction fight-or-flight
response
• A primitive response; survival is the
ultimate goal
• In conjunction with Maslow’s Hierarchy of
Needs
1-4
Walter Cannon (continued)
• Fight-or-flight response includes quick increase in:
 Heart rate
 Respiration
 Blood pressure
 Serum cholesterol
 Body prepares for battle. Overwhelming urge to vomit,
poop, and pee.
 Neurotransmitters: Epinephrine and adrenaline start
moving through the brain.
 Nervous system: Heart action increases to make blood
flows muscleward.
1-5
1-6
Hans Selye
• Studied the effects of
long-term (chronic) stress
• Summarized his findings
by proposing a three-
phase process called the
general adaptation
syndrome, a three-stage
stress reaction
 alarm reaction
 stage of resistance
 stage of exhaustion

1-7
1-8
1-9
Types of Stress
Eustress: Distress:
• Good things to which • Bad things to which
one has to adapt and one has to adapt and
that can lead to a that can lead to a
stress reaction stress reaction
• E.g., a job promotion • E.g., the death of a
loved one

1-10
Stress Theory

Theories about the causes of stress:


1. Life events theory: Situation requires more
resources than are available (disaster)
2. Hardiness theory: One’s attitude toward the
events determines stress (immunity)
3. Social support theory: Insufficient social
support for responding to event (network)

1-11
Allostatic Load

• Definition: The cumulative biological wear


and tear that results from responses to
stress that seek to maintain body
equilibrium
• Older people, vulnerable groups, lower
status may lead to poor health due to
stressful situations

1-12
The Stressor
• A stimulus with the potential to cause
a stress reaction
– Biological (health related, food security,
etc.)
– Psychological (safety, economic,
financial security)
– Sociological (loss of love ones, trusts
issues, etc.)

1-13
Stress Reactivity and Strain
• Stress reactivity: all
effects are based on
duration and degree of
one’s physiological
reaction (sensitivity)
• Strain: the physical,
psychological, and
behavioral outcomes of
stress reactivity
(prolonged exposure) 1-14
Strain
• Strains are the outcomes of reactivity
• Three types
1. Physical (e.g., tension headaches)
2. Psychological (e.g., paranoia)
3. Behavioral (e.g., alcohol abuse)

1-15
Gender Differences in Reactivity
• Females
– Exhibit nurturing activities
– “Tend and befriend”
– Use social groups
• Males
– More fight-or-flight response
– Less use of social groups

1-16
Is the glass half full or half empty?
• A situation can be stressful or
not -- it depends on your
perception of the event
• A response to stress can be
effective or not -- it depends
on your resources and coping
strategies

1-17
Goals for Stress Management

• Do not eliminate all stress


• Try to limit the harmful effects of stress
• Use as a motivator for peak performance
• Stress can be useful, stimulating, and
welcome

1-18

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