the stress resulting from the process of adaptation by which immigrants, native groups, and ethnic minority groups adjust to the new culture or majority culture through making behavioral and attitudinal changes

-pressure resulting from the demands placed on the immigrant to adjust to life in the mainstream culture

a coping style that attempts to minimize emotional responsiveness rather than deal with the stressor directly, does not help remove the stressor or help individual manage it (bad for LT)

example: denial, withdrawal

-a coping style that attempts to confront the stressor directly

-people examine the stressor and do what they can to change them or modify their own reactions to rendor stressors less harmful

-fail to recognize seriousness of illness

-minimize the emotional stress the illness causes

-missattribute symptoms to other causes

-ignoring threatening information about the illness

-beliefs in one's ability to accomplish particular tasks

-our expectations regarding our abilities to cope with the challenges we face, to perform certain behaviors skillfully, and to produce positive changes in our lives

-effects how we cope with stress

commitment: involve themselves fully, believe in what they are doing

challenge: believe change was the normal state of things, not sameness for the sake of stability

control over lives: act as if they are effective in controlling the rewards and punishments of life (internal locus of control)

pertaining to a physical disorder in which psychological factors play a causal or contributing role

(examples: asthma & headaches)

-disease or disorder of the CVS (ex. coronary heart disease or hypertension)

-leading cause of death in US

-

a condition in which artery walls become thicker, harder, and les elastic, making it more difficult for blood to flow freely

-underlying cause is atherosclerosis, a process involving the buildup of fatty deposits along artery walls that leads to the formation of artery-clogging plaque

-myocardial infarcation

-a life-threatening event in which heart tissue dies due to a lack of oxygen-rich blood

-when a blood clot blocks the supply of blood in ana rtery serving the brain, leading to death of brain tissue that can result in loss of function controlled by that part of the brain

-coma or even death can occur

-a behavior pattern characterized by a sense of time urgency, competitiveness, and hostility

-people who are hard-driving, ambitious, impatient, and highly competitive

-increases risks of heart disease and other negative health outcomes

-have "short fuses" and are prone to get angry easily

-frequent emotional distress in the form of anger, anxiety, and depression can have damaging efects on the cardiovascular system

-chronic anger can effect the heart*

-

-constant anger and anxiety trigger the release of these stress hormones by the adrenal glands, they increase HR, breathing rate, and BP.   This leads to pumping more oxygen-rich blood to the muscles to enable them to prepare for defense (flight or fight)

-repeating this over and over can eventually damage the heart and blood vessels

appears to heighten the risk of coronary heart disease

-such this as overtime at work, assembly-line labor, and exposure to conflicting demands

-depends on how you cope with stress/workload, doesn't HAVE to be a negative effect

-a respiratory disorder in which the main tubes of the windpipe (bronchi) constrict and become inflamed and large amounts of mucus are secreted

-in intense cases bronchial system is weakened and attacks may be lethal

-psychosomatic disorder

aberrant, or mutant, cells that form growths that spread to healthy tissue (can go to the blood, bones, lungs, digestive tract, reproductive organs)

-when not contained early cancer will metastasize (establish colonies throughout the body) leading to death

weakened immune system (stress) increases susceptibilty to cancer (inconclusive)

-support programs can improve psychological adjustment (relaxation, stress management, coping thoughts)

-often times leads to severe psychological problems when adjusting

-said to be the worst news to ever find out

-acquired immunodeficiency syndrome caused by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) which attacks the immune system leaving it helpless to fend off diseases it normally would hold in check

-anxiety & depression most common

-coping skills and cognitive behavioral therapy may help

-antidepressants

-stress management, self-relaxation and positive mental imagery

characterized by emotional reactions that are greater than normally expected given the circumstances or by evidence of significant impairment in functioning

-impairment usually takes the form of problems at work or school, or in social relationships or activities

weakened immune system functioning which can be caused by stress can increase vulnerability to physical illness

-evidence is correlational

-general adaptation syndrome

-name given by Hans Selye to the pattern of response of the body to persistent or enduring stress, the alarm reaction, resistance stage, and exhaustion stage

-evidence shows that people who experience more life stress in the form of life changes and daily hassles are at an increased risk of developing physical health problems

-links are correlational*

-the most common headache which is muscle-tension is often stress related

-behavioral methods of relaxation training and biofeedback are of help in treating various types of headaches

(results remain under study)

-dietary practices (high fat intake), heavy alcohol use, smoking, and excessive sun exposure

-psychological interventions help cancer patients cope better with the symptoms of the disease and its treatment

-our behavior patterns influence our risk for contracting HIV

-psychologists have become involved in the prevention and treatment of AIDS b/c AIDS can have a devastating psychological effect on victims, their families and friends, and society as a whole

-AIDS CAN BE prevented by reducing risky behavior (unprotected sex & unsafe needle usage)