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Stress Management and Resilience

Biological Explanations of Stress

Stress responses involve complex physiological and genetic mechanisms.

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Adrenaline

Upon encountering a stressor, the body releases adrenaline from the adrenal glands, triggering the 'fight or flight' response. This increases heart rate, breathing, and energy availability, preparing the organism to cope with threats.
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Evolutionary Adaptation

Stress responses evolved to enhance survival by rapidly mobilizing energy and attention. While adaptive in the short term, prolonged activation (chronic stress) can lead to health problems, reflecting a mismatch between modern stressors and ancient adaptations.
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Stress Genes

Certain gene variants influence individuals’ physiological stress responses. Polymorphisms in genes related to cortisol regulation and neurotransmitter systems affect vulnerability to stress-related disorders.

Individual Differences in Stress Response

Personality and psychological styles mediate stress perception and coping.

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Hardiness

A personality trait involving commitment, control, and challenge perspectives. Hardy individuals view stressors as manageable and opportunities for growth, buffering the negative effects of stress.
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Self-efficacy

The belief in one’s ability to handle difficult demands. High self-efficacy promotes active coping strategies, reducing perceived stress severity and improving outcomes.
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Type A Personality

Competitive, time-urgent, and hostile, experiencing more stress and health risks.
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Type B Personality

More relaxed with lower stress reactivity.

Social Psychological Influences

External Life Factors

External life factors and perception influence stress experiences. We analyze how Daily Hassles and Major Life Events differentially contribute to chronic psychological burden.

Core Stressors & Control

Understanding how minor events and perceived control affect stress.

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Daily Hassles

These minor irritations (e.g., traffic jams, arguments) accumulate and contribute significantly to stress levels. Unlike major life events, hassles are frequent and can erode coping resources over time.
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Life Events

Significant changes such as bereavement, job loss, or divorce require adaptation and cause stress. The impact depends on the individual’s appraisal and available resources.
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Locus of Control

People with an internal locus believe they control events, which is linked to lower stress and better coping. Those with an external locus feel powerless and more stressed.

Methods of Modifying Stress: Medication

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Beta Blockers: These drugs reduce physical symptoms of stress (e.g., rapid heartbeat) by blocking adrenaline’s effects on the body, useful in performance anxiety.

Stress Inoculation Training (SIT)

SIT involves education, skill acquisition, and application phases to enhance resilience against future stressors.

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Phase 1 (Education): A cognitive-behavioural intervention teaching coping skills before stressful encounters.
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Phase 2 (Skill Acquisition): Teaching coping skills before stressful encounters.
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Phase 3 (Application): Application phases to enhance resilience against future stressors.
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Biological Explanations of Stress
Term
Fight or Flight Hormone

What hormone is primarily released during the 'fight or flight' response?

Answer
Adrenaline

Adrenaline

Term
Adrenaline Effects

What physiological changes does adrenaline trigger during stress?

Answer
Physiological Changes

Increased heart rate, breathing rate, and energy availability

Term
Evolution of Stress

Why did stress responses evolve?

Answer
Purpose

To rapidly mobilize energy and attention for survival

Term
Health Risks of Prolonged Stress

What health risks are associated with prolonged stress activation?

Answer
Health Risks

Chronic stress can lead to health problems such as cardiovascular disease and immune dysfunction

Term
Stress Genes Role

What role do stress genes play?

Answer
Role

They influence individual physiological stress responses and vulnerability to stress-related disorders

Term
Gene Variants Affecting Stress

What kind of gene variants affect stress regulation?

Answer
Variants

Polymorphisms in genes related to cortisol regulation and neurotransmitter systems

Term
Hardiness

Define 'hardiness' in relation to stress

Answer
Definition

A personality trait characterized by commitment, control, and viewing challenges positively

Term
Self-Efficacy's Role

How does high self-efficacy influence stress?

Answer
Influence

It promotes active coping and reduces perceived stress severity

Term
Type A Personality Traits

What are the characteristics of Type A personality?

Answer
Traits

Competitive, time-urgent, hostile, and prone to higher stress and health risks

Term
Daily Hassles

How do daily hassles affect stress?

Answer
Effect

They accumulate over time, eroding coping resources and increasing stress levels

Term
Locus of Control

What is the difference between internal and external locus of control?

Answer
Difference

Internal locus believes in personal control of events, leading to lower stress; external locus feels events are controlled by outside forces, leading to higher stress

Term
Beta Blockers

What do beta blockers do in stress management?

Answer
Function

They reduce physical symptoms of stress by blocking adrenaline effects

Term
Stress Inoculation Training (SIT)

What are the phases of Stress Inoculation Training (SIT)?

Answer
Phases

Education, skill acquisition, and application

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🧬 Biological Explanations of Stress Quiz

1. What hormone is primarily responsible for the ‘fight or flight’ response?

Adrenaline is released by adrenal glands to prepare the body for immediate physical activity.

2. How does chronic stress negatively impact health?

Continuous stress response can cause wear and tear, increasing risk of diseases.

3. Which genetic factor influences individual stress responses?

Variations in stress-related genes affect vulnerability to stress-related disorders.

4. What personality trait buffers against stress by encouraging a positive outlook on challenges?

Hardiness involves commitment, control, and challenge, helping individuals manage stress.

5. Beta blockers help manage stress by:

Beta blockers reduce physical symptoms like rapid heart rate by inhibiting adrenaline’s action.

📊 Results

  • Notes and Quiz
  • Psychology
  • AS & A Level
  • Research Methods
  • WJEC