Download - Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. 15–1 Chapter Fifteen Psychology and Health

Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. 15–1

Chapter Fifteen

Psychology

and Health


Did You Know That…

• Happy or joyous events can be a source of stress?

• The emotional stress of divorce or even college examinations may damage your health?

• Optimistic people have fewer postoperative complications following coronary artery bypass surgery than pessimistic people?


Did You Know That… (cont.)

• Chronic anger may be harmful to your heart?• Two modifiable behaviors, smoking and diet,

account for nearly two of three cancer deaths in the United States?

• Regular exercise increases resilience to stress?

• Writing about traumatic experiences may boost the body’s immune system?


Module 15.1

Stress: What It Is and What It Does to the Body


Module 15.1 Preview Questions

• What is health psychology?• What is stress, and what are the major

sources of stress?• How does the body respond to stress?• How does stress affect the immune system?• What is burnout?• What psychological factors buffer the effects

of stress?


Health Psychology

• Study of the interrelationships between psychology and physical health.

• Especially concerned with effects of stress.– Stress: Pressure or demand placed on an

organism to adjust or adapt.– Distress: An internal state of physical or mental

pain or suffering.


Sources of Stress: Hassles

• Annoyances of daily lives that impose a stressful burden.

• Accumulation of daily hassles can lead to chronic stress.– State of persistent tension or pressure.


Sources of Stress: Life Events

• Major changes in life circumstances can lead to lead to stress.– Can be positive or negative life events.

• May contribute to physical health problems• Impact on health varies with:

– One’s coping skills.– One’s attitude.– How one appraises or evaluations a life event.


Sources of Stress: Frustration and Conflict

• Frustration: The negative emotional state that occurs when our efforts toward a goal are blocked.

• Conflict: State of tension brought about by opposing motives operating simultaneously.


Figure 15.1: Types of Conflict


Sources of Stress: Traumatic Stressors

• Potentially life-threatening events.• May lead to development of posttraumatic

stress disorder (PTSD).• Adjustment problems associated with PTSD:

– Avoidance of cues associated with the trauma.– Reexperiencing the traumatic event.– Impaired functioning.– Heightened arousal.– Emotional numbing.


Sources of Stress: Type A Behavior Pattern (TABP)

• Characterized by impatience, competitiveness, and aggressiveness.

• Type B pattern: slower, more relaxed pace in life.

• Type A is associated with a higher risk of heart disease.


Sources of Stress: Acculturative Stress

• Demands immigrants experience adjusting to a new culture.

• Pressure to acculturate involves adapting to the values, linguistic preferences, and customs of the host or dominant culture.

• Successful adjustment depends on a number of factors.– Economic opportunities, language proficiency,

social network connections.


General Adaptation Syndrome (Hans Selye)

• Alarm Stage– Fight-or-flight response– Strong psychological, physiological arousal

• Resistance Stage ( or adaptation stage)– Attempt to return to normal state

• Exhaustion Stage– Resources seriously depleted– “Diseases of adaptation”


Figure 15.2: Level of Resistance During the Stages of the General Adaptation Syndrome


Stress and the Endocrine System

• Chain reaction to stress– Hypothalamus: corticotrophin-releasing hormone

(CRH)– Pituitary gland: adrenocorticotrophic hormone

(ACTH)– Adrenal cortex: corticosteroids– Adrenal medulla: epinephrine, norepinephrine

Figure 15.3:Body’s Response to Stress


Stress and the Immune System

• Immune system is our primary defense against disease and infection.

• Immunity develops through:– Antigen “memory”– Vaccinations

• Stress weakens the immune system.


Burnout

• State of physical and emotional exhaustion• Results from:

– Excessive job demands– Caregiving responsibilities– Other stressful commitments

• Influenced by:– Role conflict: competing demands for time– Role overload: can’t say “no”– Role ambiguity: unsure of expectations


Figure 15.4: Psychological Moderators of Stress


Psychological Hardiness

• Cluster of traits that may buffer the effects of stress.

• Three key traits:– Commitment– Openness to challenge– Internal locus of control


Positive Psychology

• A developing movement in psychology, founded by Martin Seligman.

• Psychology should focus on the study of human virtues and assets, rather than weaknesses and deficits.


Module 15.2

Psychological Factors in

Physical Illness


Module 15.2 Preview Questions

• How are psychological factors linked to the health of our heart and circulatory system?

• What roles do psychological factors play in the development of cancer?

• What roles do psychological factors play in other health conditions, such as asthma, headaches, and ulcers?


Figure 15.5: America’s Leading Killers


Figure 15.6: Risk Factors forCoronary Heart Disease


Figure 15.7: Risks of Death Among Current and Former Smokers Compared to Never-Smokers


Figure 15.8: Racial and Ethnic Differences in Death Rates Due to Coronary Heart Disease in U.S.


Emotions and Your Heart

• Emotional patterns associated with heart disease– Type A: hostile, chronic anger– Persistent anxiety

• Persistent emotional arousal– Damage to cardiovascular system by stress

hormones


Cancer

• A disease in which body cells exhibit uncontrolled growth.– Formation of malignant tumors which damage

body organs, systems

• Many causes– But two of three cancer deaths in U.S. attributable

to smoking and diet.


Risk Factors for Cancer

• Smoking• Diet and alcohol consumption• Sun exposure• Stress


Stress and Other Physical Disorders

• Asthma• Headaches• Peptic ulcers


Module 15.3

Application: Taking the Distress

Out of Stress


Module 15.3 Preview Question

• What are some ways of taking the distress out of stress?


Managing Stress Levels

• Reduce daily hassles• Know your limits• Follow a reasonable schedule• Take frequent breaks• Develop time-management skills• Learn to prioritize


Various Techniques

• Develop relaxation skills• Take care of your body• Gather information• Expand social network• Prevent burnout• Replace stress-inducing thoughts with stress-

busting thoughts• Don’t keep upsetting feelings bottled up


Control Type A Behavior

• Take things slower• Read books for enjoyment• Leave your computer at home• Avoid rushing meals• Enjoy activities• Develop relaxing interests• Set realistic daily goals

Download - Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. 15–1 Chapter Fifteen Psychology and Health

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