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PSY 105 WEEK 8 Part 1 Health, Stress, & Coping Intro Welcome to Part One of Week Eight of Psychology from Science to Practice. This half of the lesson will cover health, stress, and coping. Overview Please go to slide # 2 This lecture will cover the effects of genetic, psychological, and social factors on ones health. First, we will discuss a branch of psychology known as health psychology by describing the relationships between psychological variables and health. Then we will discuss the nature, causes, and effects of stress how it influences health and performance. Last we will discuss behaviors that affect our risk of contracting certain lifestyle-related illnesses and ways in which psychologists encourage healthy lifestyles. Please go to slide # 3 When you complete this lesson you will be able to: Define health psychology; Define stress and describe its major causes and effects; Explain the health belief model; Explain the importance of effective communication between doctor and patient; List and describe four behavioral risk factors that contribute to developing illness; and Describe a psychological risk factor that contributes to developing illness.

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Objectives

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Health Psychology: An Overview

Please go to slide # 4 Health psychology aims to identify important relationships between psychological variables and health both mind and body are important determinants. Health psychologists believe that our beliefs, attitudes, and behavior significantly contribute to the onset or prevention of illness. A related term you should be familiar with is behavioral medicine, which combines behavioral and biomedical knowledge for the prevention and treatment of disorders ordinarily thought of as being within the domain of medicine. Both health psychology and behavioral medicine have increasingly grown since the 1970s. One reason for the increased interest is due to the fact that the current leading causes of death are significantly related to

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characteristics that make up lifestyle the overall pattern of decisions and behaviors that determine a persons health and quality of life. The conditions that constitute the leading causes of death could be prevented by eating nutritious food, reducing alcohol consumption, practicing safe sex, eliminating smoking, and exercising regularly. However, studies show that certain behaviors, such as smoking and poor nutrition, are difficult to change. Slide 5 Stress: Its Basic Nature Please go to slide # 5 Unfortunately, stress our response to events that disrupt or threat to disrupt our physical or psychological functioning is a common part of modern life. As a result, stress has become an important topic of psychology research. First lets take a look at its basic nature. Next, we will discuss some of the causes and effects of stress. Stress is a process that occurs in reaction to stressors events or situations in our environment. Stressors can stem from both positive and negative events in our lives. Although there is a wide range of stress producing stimuli, many share several characteristics. They: Are highly intense, which produces a state of overload; Evoke incompatible tendencies; and Are uncontrollable. Generally, we experience many physiological reactions when exposed to stressors. These brief reactions, referred to as the fight-or-flight syndrome, are controlled through the sympathetic nervous system which you learned about in a previous lesson. However, when exposed to chronic sources of stress, these reactions are only a part of a longer sequence referred to as the general adaptation syndrome, or GAS. There are three stages of GAS the alarm, resistance, and exhaustion stages. The body prepares itself for immediate action in the alarm stage. The sympathetic nervous system releases hormones that help prepare the body to meet threats. The resistance stage begins if stress is prolonged. During this stage, arousal is lower, but the body continues to draw on resources at an above-normal rate to effectively cope with the stressor. Page 2 of 11 Chapter 11 Week Eight: 02/26-03/02/2007 10/2/2012

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Continued exposure to stressors leads to the exhaustion stage, in which our capacity to resist is depleted and susceptibility to illness increases. One problem with the GAS model is that it does not consider the importance of cognitive processes in determining whether we interpret a specific event as stressful. Stress occurs only to the extent that a person perceives a particular situation as threatening to their goals, and that they will be unable to cope with the danger or demands. Please go to slide # 6 Slide 6 Stress: Some Major Causes A wide range of conditions and events can generate stress, but the major ones include stressful life events, the hassles of daily life, and work-related stress. Lets take a look at each of these causes. Stressful life events, such as death of a spouse, injury, or failure in school or at work, often negatively impact health. Recent research identifies the specific effects of accumulated stress, or allostatic load, on health. For example, one study by Cohen suggests that people who experience long term chronic stressors in comparison to those experiencing brief, acute stressors are at greater risk for developing a cold. However, an individuals ability to withstand the impact of stress is a factor. For example, while one person suffers ill effects after exposure to a few mildly stressful events, others may remain healthy even after prolonged exposure to high levels of stress. The stress associated with a single catastrophic event can also exert negative effects on ones health. Studies show that a significant portion of natural disaster survivors report symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder a severe psychological disorder that occurs after experiencing or witnessing a life-threatening event. Although certain life events are clearly stressful, they do not occur often. Conversely, minor sources of stress, referred to as hassles, frequently occur every day. Daily hassles may seem relatively minor when compared to life events, but they are very important. Richard Lazarus and his colleagues developed a Hassles Scale on which individuals indicate the extent to which Page 3 of 11 Chapter 11 PSY105 Week Eight: 02/26-03/02/2007 10/2/2012

common events have hassled them. Strong positive correlations exist between scores on the Hassles Scale and reports of psychological symptoms; the more stress individuals report as a result of daily hassles, the poorer their psychological well-being. Job-related stress is the third source we will discuss. Factors that produce stress in work settings include work overload, work underload, low job control, role conflict or ambiguity, lack of support, and conflict with other employees. Fortunately, several lines of research suggest efforts can be taken to reduce contributing factors. Employers can provide workers with greater control and decision-making capabilities; organizations can consider the person-environment fit to successfully match workers with the demands of their jobs; and employees can set more realistic goals, effectively manage their time, maintain a positive attitude, and reduce procrastination. Slide 7 Stress: Some Major Effects Please go to slide # 7 Major effects of stress can be far-reaching. Stress can influence our physical well-being, psychological wellbeing, and task performance. Lets take a closer look. The relationship between stress and personal health is very strong fifty to seventy percent of all physical illness is somehow related to stress. Prolonged exposure to stress seems to disrupt our immune system, which consists of the mechanisms through which our bodies recognize and destroy potentially harmful substances and intruders. Chronic exposure disrupts our immune system by reducing circulating levels of lymphocytes and increasing levels of the hormone cortisol, which is a substance that suppresses aspects of our immune system. The physiological effects of chronic stressors can also negatively effect ones cardiovascular system. Several studies suggest that social support the emotional and task resources provided by others may buffer the adverse effects of chronic stress. However, an unreliable social support network can increase adverse effects. Also, recent findings indicate that providing social support to others may be just as important in buffering adverse effects of chronic stress.

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The last major effect of stress we will discuss is task performance. Research indicates that even low or moderate levels of stress can interfere with task performance for several reasons. First, stress can be distracting. Second, prolonged or repeated exposure to mild levels of stress may negatively effect health, interfering with effective performance. Third, although task performance may rise as arousal increases at first, performance falls at some point. Although these factors help explain why moderate levels of stress interfere with performance, generalizations should be made with caution. While stress can interfere with task performance in many situations, its precise effects depend on many different factors. Slide 8 Understanding & Communicating Our Health Needs Please go to slide # 8 Modern medicine has provided the means to alleviate many types of illnesses considered incurable until recently. However, available medicine and technology does not ensure that we will seek proper treatment or knowledge. Due to our beliefs and attitudes, it is often difficult for health professionals to help us comply with their advice. This indicates additional roles for health psychologists to identify techniques to reduce or eliminate unhealthy behaviors and promote the adoption of healthy lifestyles. The health belief model also helps explain why certain people fail or succeed in engaging in actions that prevent negative outcomes. This model suggests that our willingness to seek medical help depends on: The extent to which we perceive a threat to our health; and The extent to which we believe a specific behavior will effectively reduce that threat. Another important factor in adhering to medical advice is patient satisfaction. Research shows that satisfied patients are more likely to adhere to treatment regimens, have better emotional health, and fewer hospitalizations than unsatisfied patients. In order to be effective in treating patients and promoting wellness, health professionals need to know how to effectively communicate with their patients.

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Please go to slide # 9 Slide 9 Behavioral & Psychological Correlates of Illness: The Effects of Thoughts & Actions on Health The development of cancer or other illness is moderated by risk factors aspects of our lifestyle that affect the chances of developing or contracting a specific disease, within the limits established by our genes. Behaviors that increase our exposure to carcinogens cancerproducing agents in our environment are among the most important risk factors. Since people create these risks through their behaviors, psychologists can play a crucial role in preventing cancer and other health problems. Lets take a look at four behavioral risk factors that may contribute to the development of certain illnesses. Smoking the leading cause of several types of cancer and cardiovascular disease is the largest preventable cause of illness and premature death in the United States. Despite the numerous risks associated with smoking and the benefits of quitting, more than fortysix million Americans currently smoke. Certain factors seem to play a role in this statistic, including genetic, psychosocial, and cognitive factors. Genetic factors suggest that some people are biologically predisposed to become addicted to nicotine, whereas others remain unaffected. Psychosocial factors are especially prevalent in young persons. Adolescents are more likely to begin smoking if their parents or other role models smoke. Cognitive factors, such as the inaccurate perceptions of risks associated with smoking, appear to influence peoples tendency to continue smoking. Although smokers acknowledge the health risks of smoking, they also underestimate the risks and minimize the personal relevance. The next behavioral risk factor we will discuss is poor dietary practices. Poor nutrition has been closely linked with cancers of the colon and rectum, including one of the leading causes of cancer deaths in the United States colorectal cancer. Diet is also a significant risk factor in the development of cardiovascular disease, which is the term used to describe all diseases of the heart and blood vessels. High levels of a certain type of serum cholesterol, or blood cholesterol, are strongly associated with increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. Fortunately, serum cholesterol can be reduced through a Page 6 of 11 Chapter 11 PSY105 Week Eight: 02/26-03/02/2007 10/2/2012

diet low in fats, cholesterol, and calories high in fiber, fruits, and vegetables. Another poor diet practice is overeating, which can lead to being overweight and, in turn, serious health problems. Although most weight loss interventions initially help people lose weight, the results are not typically long term due to a variety of factors genetic, behavioral, environmental, and the type of initial motivation. We already discussed the first three factors in terms of smoking; lets look at the factor involving the type of motivation. According to the self-determination theory, long-term maintenance of weight loss depends on whether the initial motivation to diet is perceived by the dieter as autonomous or controlled. For example, overweight people who begin to diet on the advice of their doctor is controlled motivation; people who begin weight-loss programs because they want to do it for themselves is autonomous motivation. Slide 10 Behavioral & Psychological Correlates of Illness: The Effects of Thoughts & Actions on Health Please go to slide # 10 We discussed two behavioral risk factors smoking and poor nutrition that may contribute to the development of certain illnesses. Lets look at the two remaining risk factors. Excessive alcohol consumption is harmful and can have damaging effects on our health. Chronic excessive alcohol consumption can lead to deficits in various cognitive abilities, including learning and memory, perceptual-motor skills, visual-spatial processing, and problem solving. Drinking can also lead to stomach disease, cirrhosis of the liver, cancer, impaired sexual functioning, and cognitive impairment. Among the factors that play a role in alcohol consumption despite the risks include genetics and environmental factors. Studies show that the gene responsible for production of a brain chemical called neuropeptide Y correlates to excessive drinking a lack of the chemical appears to increase the likelihood of drinking and a greater tolerance for its effects. Also, studies of environmental effects show that children reared in an adoptive family containing an alcoholic member are at a significant risk of becoming alcoholics themselves. Another illness that can be contracted due to certain behaviors is Acquired immune deficiency syndrome, or Page 7 of 11 Chapter 11 Week Eight: 02/26-03/02/2007 10/2/2012

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AIDS, which is a syndrome of illnesses caused by the human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV. The only effective means of combating AIDS is to change the behaviors that place people most at risk for acquiring HIV. Thus, psychologists are extremely relevant to the AIDS epidemic. Two useful tools for developing effective behavior change programs include the information-motivation-behavioral skills, or IMB, model and elicitation research. The IMB model accommodates individual and group differences and is a framework in which to conduct elicitation research. According to the model, people are more likely to perform HIV-preventative behaviors to the extent that they: Know how HIV is acquired and the actions to avoid it; Are motivated to perform HIV-preventative behaviors and omit risky ones; and Possess the skills necessary to perform relevant HIVpreventative behaviors. Elicitation research is performed to attain specific information about a target group, such as: Their current knowledge or HIV and AIDS; The factors that motivate them to reduce personal risk; and Their existing HIV-preventative behavioral skills. Together, the IMB model and elicitation research aid researchers to determine why target groups do not perform AIDS-preventative behavior. Please go to slide # 11

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Slide 11

Behavioral & Psychological Correlates of Illness: The Effects of Thoughts & Actions on Health

The previous two slides discussed four behavioral risk factors that may contribute to the development of certain illnesses. Mood states and emotions may also contribute to the risk of certain illnesses. Inadequate emotional expression can have an adverse effect on the progression of certain illnesses. Those who cope with stress by keeping their negative emotions to themselves Type D personalities are likely to experience suppressed immune systems, greater recurrence of cancer, and higher mortality rates. Conversely, individuals who demonstrate positive emotions increase the chance of recovery. Emotion can also play a role in the progression of hypertension, or high blood pressure. Negative emotions arouse the autonomic nervous system and produce increases in heart rate, blood pressure, and neurotransmitters. As we already discussed, the effects of stressors are typically brief, but extreme reactivity to emotional stressors may indicate a predisposition to develop hypertension. Although negative emotions can increase risks of illness, positive emotions have beneficial effects. For example, positive emotions can reverse cardiovascular effects produced by hostility. Positive emotions are also associated with psychological resilience the tendency to bounce back from negative experiences.

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Promoting Wellness: Developing a Healthier Lifestyle

Please go to slide # 12 Although genetic factors play a role in determining life span, research suggests that people may be able to extend their lives by adhering to a lifestyle that includes certain factors, such as proper nutrition, regular exercise, and continued activity during later years. As a result, a growing number of health professionals and psychologists have adopted prevention strategies techniques designed to reduce the occurrence of illness and other physical and psychological problems. The two stages include primary and secondary prevention. The goal of primary prevention is to reduce or eliminate the incidence of preventable illness and injury. The typical strategies involved include educating people about the relationship between their behaviors and health, promoting motivation and skills to practice healthy behaviors, and directly modifying poor health

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practices through intervention. The goal of secondary prevention is to decrease the severity of a current illness by focusing on early detection. Psychologists are active in developing strategies to motivate people to take part in early detection procedures such as screening. Also, selfexamination can be very effective in early detection of certain cancer. The cure rate associated with testicular cancer is over ninety percent if detected early. Early detected breast cancers have an eighty-five to ninety percent chance of being cured. Please go to slide # 13 Slide 13 Summary We have now reached the end of the first half of Lesson Eight. This slide will briefly review what we covered. The foundation of this lesson was health psychology, which aims to identify important relationships between psychological variables and health. Health psychologists believe that our beliefs, attitudes, and behavior significantly contribute to the onset or prevention of illness. Stress a process that occurs in reaction to stressors has become an important topic of psychology research. We generally experience many physiological reactions when exposed to stressors. These brief reactions, referred to as the fight-or-flight syndrome, are controlled through the sympathetic nervous system. However, when exposed to chronic sources of stress, these reactions are only a part of a longer sequence referred to as the general adaptation syndrome, or GAS. A wide range of conditions and events can generate stress, but the major ones we discussed include stressful life events, the hassles of daily life, and work-related stress. The effects of stress can be far-reaching by influencing our physical well-being, psychological well-being, and task performance. Another role of health psychologists we discussed is to identify techniques to reduce or eliminate unhealthy behaviors and promote the adoption of healthy lifestyles. Unfortunately, due to our beliefs and attitudes, it is often difficult for health professionals to help us comply with their advice. The health belief Page 10 of 11 Chapter 11 PSY105 Week Eight: 02/26-03/02/2007 10/2/2012

model can help explain why certain people fail or succeed in engaging in actions that prevent negative outcomes. We also looked at four behavioral risk factors that may contribute to the development of certain illnesses smoking, poor nutrition, alcohol consumption, and behaviors associated with contracting AIDS. Since people create these risks through their behaviors, psychologists can play a crucial role in preventing certain health problems. Mood states and emotions may also contribute to the risk of certain illnesses. Inadequate emotional expression can have an adverse effect on the progression of certain illnesses. Conversely, individuals who demonstrate positive affect increase the chance of recovery. The last topic we discussed was prevention strategies techniques designed to reduce the occurrence of illness and other physical and psychological problems. The two stages include primary and secondary prevention. Primary prevention focuses on reducing or eliminating the incidence of preventable illness and injury, whereas secondary prevention focuses on decreasing the severity of a current illness by focusing on early detection. Please continue to Part Two of this Lesson.

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