All Flashcards
What is the mind-body connection in health psychology?
The interaction between psychological processes (thoughts, feelings, behaviors) and physical health outcomes.
Explain the impact of stress on the immune system.
Stress can weaken the immune system, making individuals more susceptible to illness.
What is the significance of ACEs in long-term health?
ACEs can have lasting negative impacts on health and well-being throughout life.
What is the General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)?
A model describing the body's three-stage response to stress: alarm, resistance, and exhaustion.
What is the Tend-and-Befriend theory?
A stress response characterized by nurturing behaviors and seeking social support, often seen in women.
How does chronic stress affect mental well-being?
Chronic stress can lead to burnout, exhaustion, and difficulty coping with everyday life.
What is the difference between eustress and distress?
Eustress is positive and motivating, while distress is negative and overwhelming.
Explain the role of physiological arousal in the alarm reaction stage.
The body initially responds to a stressor with increased physiological arousal in the alarm reaction stage.
How does problem-focused coping reduce stress?
It directly addresses the stressful situation to reduce or eliminate it.
What is the purpose of emotion-focused coping?
To manage emotional reactions to stress and reduce negative feelings.
What are some examples of household dysfunctions?
Mental illness, substance abuse, domestic violence, or incarceration within the household.
Compare problem-focused and emotion-focused coping.
Problem-focused targets the stressor; emotion-focused manages emotional reactions to stress.
Compare eustress and distress.
Eustress is positive and motivating; distress is negative and overwhelming.
Compare the fight-or-flight response and the tend-and-befriend response.
Fight-or-flight involves confrontation or escape; tend-and-befriend involves nurturing and seeking social support.
Compare the alarm reaction and exhaustion phases of GAS.
Alarm reaction is the initial response; exhaustion is when resources are depleted.
Compare the effects of acute and chronic stress.
Acute stress is short-term, while chronic stress has long-lasting negative impacts on health.
Compare the resistance and exhaustion phases of GAS.
The resistance phase is when the body actively copes with stress, while the exhaustion phase occurs when resources are depleted.
Compare the effects of problem-focused coping and avoidance coping.
Problem-focused coping addresses the root cause of stress, while avoidance coping temporarily avoids the stressor without resolving it.
Compare the impact of physical abuse and emotional neglect as ACEs.
Physical abuse involves direct harm to the body, while emotional neglect involves a lack of emotional support and care.
Compare the short-term and long-term effects of meditation on stress.
Short-term meditation reduces immediate anxiety, while long-term meditation promotes overall well-being and resilience to stress.
Compare the effectiveness of medication and therapy in managing stress.
Medication can provide immediate relief from symptoms, while therapy addresses the underlying causes of stress and promotes long-term coping skills.
What is Health Psychology?
The study of how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors influence physical health.
Define Stress.
A physiological and psychological response to challenging or threatening events.
What is Eustress?
Positive, motivating stress that can lead to achievement.
What is Distress?
Negative, overwhelming stress that hinders performance and well-being.
Define ACEs.
Adverse Childhood Experiences: stressful or traumatic events in childhood.
What is Chronic Stress?
Prolonged stress that negatively impacts physical and mental health.
What is the Alarm Reaction?
The initial response to stress where the body goes into high alert.
Define Resistance Phase.
The stage where the body actively confronts stress, trying to maintain balance.
What is the Exhaustion Phase?
The stage where stress resources are depleted, increasing susceptibility to illness.
Define Problem-Focused Coping.
Addressing stress by identifying the source and finding solutions.
What is Emotion-Focused Coping?
Managing emotional reactions to stress to reduce negative feelings.