Stress, Coping Mechanism and

Health Behavior
Stress can contribute to illness directly
through its physiological effects (e.g.

fight-or-flight reaction: Cannon, 1932),

or indirectly through maladaptive
behaviors (e.g. smoking, poor eating
habits, etc).

Stress, Coping Mechanism and

Health Behavior
Stress and coping mechanisms
contribute to the patients health
outcomes
seeking information and social
support
adherence to health

Stress, Coping Mechanism and

Health Behavior
Hans Selye (1956), father of modern
stress research, suggested the General
Adaptation Syndrome: physiological
and behavioral responses to stressors
3 Stages of GAS: 1) alarm reaction, 2)
resistance, and 3) exhaustion

Stress, Coping Mechanism and

Health Behavior
A person who is facing a stressful
situation will initially react
unconsciously (unintended reactions,
GAS Stage 1); then he will resist/avoid
the situation for as long as he can while
trying to find solution (GAS Stage 2);

Stress, Coping Mechanism and

Health Behavior
Coping Efforts Classified:
A) Problem-focused (active coping
mechanisms, problem-solving and
information-seeking)
B) Emotion-focused (social support)
C) Meaning-based (positive

Stress, Coping Mechanism and

Health Behavior
Categories of Coping Outcomes
1) Emotional Well-Being
2) Health Behavior
3) Functional / Health Status