CHAPTER 15
Psychology and Health
MODULE 15.1 STRESS: WHAT IT IS AND WHAT IT DOES
TO THE BODY LECTURE OUTLINE
Refer to the Concept Web at the end of this manual for a visual synopsis of all concepts presented
in this module.
I. Health Psychology—Study of Interrelationships Between Psychology and Physical Health
A. Stress—pressures or demands placed upon organism that require adjustment or
adaptation
B. Distress—an internal state of physical or mental pain or suffering (Table 15.1)
II. Sources of Stress (Concept Chart 15.1) LB 15.1
A. Stressors—sources of stress, can be positive or negative events
B. Hassles—common annoyances experienced in daily lives (Table 15.2), contribute to
chronic stress (persistent tension) LB 15.2
C. Life events—major changes in life circumstances
1. Correlational relationships—greater number suffer from more physical health
problems
2. Individual differences in how vulnerable people are to stress of life events
3. Way event is appraised affects stress experienced
D. Frustration—negative emotional state that occurs when efforts to pursue goals are
blocked or thwarted
E. Conflict—state of tension resulting from the presence of two or more competing goals
that demand resolution
1. Approach-approach conflict (Figure 15.1a)
2. Avoidance-avoidance conflict (Figure 15.1b)
3. Approach-avoidance conflict (Figure 15.1c)
4. Multiple approach-avoidance conflict (Figure 15.1d)
F. Traumatic stressors—potentially life-threatening events fall through the cracks
1. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may lead to lingering problems in
adjustment such as:
a. Avoidance of cues associated with trauma
b. Re-experiencing the traumatic event
c. Impaired functioning
d. Heightened arousal
e. Emotional numbing
2. May experience months after the traumatic event
3. Found in other cultures as well
G. Type A behavior pattern (TABP) LB 15.3
1. Characteristics include impatience, competitiveness, and aggression
2. Moderately higher risk of coronary heart disease
3. Hostility in particular linked to coronary heart disease
H. See Exploring Psychology—Making It In America: The Challenge of Acculturative
Stress LB 15.4
III. The Body’s Response to Stress
A. The general adaptation syndrome (Selye) identified three stages in stress response
1. Alarm stage—fight or flight response
2. Resistance stage—adaptation stage, body maintains normal biological state
3. Exhaustion stage—marked by depletion in body resources (Figure 15.3)
B. Stress and the endocrine system
1. Endocrine system releases hormones directly into bloodstream
2. Hypothalamus secretes corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH), then pituitary
releases adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH), next the adrenal cortex releases
corticosteroids while the adrenal medulla releases epinephrine and
norepinephrine (Figure 15.4)
IV. Stress and the Immune System
A. Immune system fights disease in several ways
1. Lymphocytes circulate in body looking for antigens
2. Antibodies released in response to antigens
3. Acquired immunity developed through past illness or vaccination
B. Stress (major stressors and chronic stress) weakens the immune system (see Reality
Check, LB. 15.5)
C. Stress linked to illness through actions of corticosteroids
V. Psychological Buffers to Stress (Figure 15.5) LB 15.6
A. Buffers against stress
1. Social support LB 15.7
2. Self-efficacy
3. Predictability and controllability of stressor
a. Locus of control—internal vs. external LB 15.8
4. Psychological hardiness—internal locus of control, commitment, openness to
challenge
5. Optimism
a. Positive psychology (Seligman)—believe that we should focus more on
studying and building positive aspects of human nature LB 15.9
VI. Burnout (Table 15.4)
A. Stress-related condition, a state of physical and emotional exhaustion
B. Vulnerability to burnout related to issues such as:
1. Role conflict—face competing demands for time
2. Role overload—keep adding responsibilities instead of saying no
3. Role ambiguity—unsure what is expected
MODULE 15.2 PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS IN PHYSICAL
ILLNESS LECTURE OUTLINE
Refer to the Concept Web at the end of this manual for a visual synopsis of all concepts presented
in this module.
I. Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) LB 15.10
A. Characteristics and implications
1. Disorder where blood flow to the heart becomes insufficient to meet the heart’s
needs
2. Atherosclerosis—narrowing of arteries resulting from a buildup of fatty deposits
(plaque) along artery walls
3. Arteriosclerosis—artery walls become thicker, harder, less elastic
4. Heart attack—myocardial infarction (MI), results from near or total block in
blood flow to heart
B. Risk factors for CHD
1. Age, gender, family history, hypertension, smoking, obesity, diabetes, lack of
physical exercise, high cholesterol (Figure 15.8)
2. Following a sedentary lifestyle doubles risk of CHD
3. Smoking doubles risk of heart attacks and quitting lowers risk
4. Black Americans much higher risk than other racial groups (Figure 15.9)
C. Emotions and your heart LB 15.11
1. Chronic anger increases the risk of CHD, as does persistent anxiety
2. Persistent emotional arousal may damage cardiovascular system
3. People who anger easily have higher blood pressure and cholesterol
II. Cancer
A. Characteristics of disease
1. Disease in which body cells exhibit uncontrolled growth
2. Malignant tumors—lead to formation of masses of excess body tissue
3. Two of three cancer deaths due to smoking and dietary factors
B. Risk factors for cancer (Table 15.5)
1. Age, family history, and controllable factors
2. Smoking linked to many forms of cancer, related to one-third of cancer deaths
3. Diet and alcohol consumption
a. High consumption of saturated fats linked to some cancers
b. Heavy alcohol use linked to many forms
4. Sun exposure
5. Stress possible contributor through weakening of immune system
C. Health psychologists play a role in helping people change cancer risk behaviors and
counseling cancer patients and families
III. Stress and Other Physical Disorders
A. Asthma—stress may increase susceptibility to attacks
B. Headaches—stress contributes to tension and migraine headaches
C. Peptic ulcers—stress and other lifestyle factors increase susceptibility
IV. Concept Chart 15.2, LB 5.14, LB 15.12
MODULE 15.3 APPLICATION: TAKING THE DISTRESS
OUT OF STRESS LECTURE OUTLINE
Refer to the Concept Web at the end of this manual for a visual synopsis of all concepts presented
in this module.
I. Maintain Stress at a Tolerable Level LB 15.13
A. Reduce daily hassles
B. Know your limits
C. Follow a reasonable schedule
D. Take frequent breaks
E. Develop more effective time-management skills
F. Learn to prioritize
II. Develop Relaxation Skills
A. Tone down the body’s response to stress by learning to relax
B. Listening to music, reading, or formal relaxation techniques LB 15.14, PW 4.2
III. Take Care of Your Body
IV. Gather Information
V. Expand Your Social Network (Table 15.7)
VI. Prevent Burnout
VII. Replace Stress-Inducing Thoughts with Stress-Busting Thoughts
VIII. Don’t Keep Upsetting Feelings Bottled Up
IX. Control Type A Behavior
A. Take things slower
B. Read books for enjoyment
C. Leave your computer at home
D. Avoid rushing through your meals
E. Engage in enjoyable activities
F. Develop relaxing interests
G. Set realistic daily goals
H. Control your anger (see Chapter 8)