Stress

Stress

1. Sources

   • Life events
     • Social Readjustment Rating Scale
       • Life Change Unit score
     • Rahe 1970
     • Evaluation
       • Individual differences
         • SRRS values are arbitrary & variable
           • Personalised scales=more effective
       • Positive life events
         • SRRS does not distinguish
           • Not all events are stressful
       • Self-report
         • Can be unreliable
       • Causality
         • SRRS:Health is correlational
       • Dated & androcentric
         • Recent studies use a developed SRRS
   • Daily hassles
     • Hassles scale
       • Identify & rate hassles
     • Bouteyre 2007
     • De Longis 1982 & Ruffin 1993
     • Evaluation
       • Causality
         • Correlational evidence
       • Cultural differences
         • Kim & McKenry 1998 & Sim 2000
   • Workplace stress
     • Consists of workload & control
     • Johanson 1978
     • Karasek's model 1979
       • Low self-control & high demand = worst
       • Evaluation
         • Dewe 1992
         • Van der Doef & Maes 1998
         • Marmot 1997

2. Personality factors

   • Type A behaviour
     • Components
       • Time-pressured
       • Competitive
       • Hostile
     • Friedman & Rosenman 1974
     • Evaluation
       • Research
       • Hostility
         • Identified as factor
           • Miller 1996
       • Protective factors
         • Type A's may have more
       • Hardiness
         • Many cope well-may be hardy
   • Hardiness
     • Components
       • Control
       • Commitment
       • Challenge
     • Langer & Rodin 1976
     • Kobasa 1979 & 1985
   • Personality factors increase/decrease vulnerability to stress
     • Positive elements may outweigh negatives

3. Stress management

   • Biological
     • Benzodiazepines
       • Enhance GABA activity
         • Inhibitory of chloride ions
           • BZs bind to receptors
       • Valium
       • Reduce anxiety
     • Beta-blockers
       • Inderal
       • Reduce adrenaline activity
         • Binds to beta-adrenergic receptors
           • Block stimulation of organs
       • Blocks sympathetic arousal
         • Reduced strain on heart
     • Evaluation
       • Speed & effect
       • Tolerance
       • Availability
       • Dependency
       • Side effects
       • Targets symptoms
   • Psychological
     • CBT
       • Hardiness training
         • Focusing
           • Train to spot symptoms to recognise sources
         • Reliving stressful encounters
           • Analyse for resolution & better or worse ideas
             • Insight into current coping strategies
         • Self-improvement
           • Gradual increase in challenge for sense of personal control
             • See stressors as challenges
       • Stress Inoculation therapy
         • 8-15 sessions
           • Follow-ups 3-12 months
         • Conceptualisation
           • Think about how to cope
           • Recognise negative thoughts
         • Skills, training & practise
           • Develop cognitive coping strategies
             • Positive statements
           • Develop behavioural aids
             • Relaxation techniques
         • Real life application
           • Real situations of increasing intensity
           • Contact to therapist maintained
     • Evaluation
       • Targets causes
       • Effective
         • Encourages self-help
       • Practicality
       • Difficulties
         • Against habits of coping