Chapter 10
Stress Responses and Stress
Management
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Early Stress-Response Theories
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Walter Cannon
Fight-or-flight response
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Body prepares for situation that individual perceives
as threat to survival
New research indicates that men and women have
different neural responses to stress
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Early Stress-Response
Theories (Cont.)
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Hans Selye
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GAS
• Three stages
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Alarm or acute stress stage
Resistance or adaptation stage
Exhaustion stage
• Bad stress versus good stress?
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Distress
Eustress
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3
Bad Stress Versus Good Stress?
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Distress: Negative, draining energy resulting in
anxiety, depression, fatigue; stressors include
losses, demands, worries, etc.
Eustress: Positive, beneficial energy that
motivates and results in hope, joy, and
purposeful movement. Causes are any uplifting,
fun, or fulfilling event such as the birth of a child,
a much-needed vacation, favorite physical
activities, etc.
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Neurotransmitter
Stress Responses
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Serotonin synthesis
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More active
May impair serotonin receptor sites and brain’s ability
to use serotonin
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Immune System Stress Responses
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Interaction between nervous system and
immune system during alarm phase of GAS
Negatively affects body’s ability to produce
protective factors
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Mediators of the Stress Response
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Stressors
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Perception
Individual temperament
Social support
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Physical
Psychological
Support groups
Culture
Spirituality and religious beliefs
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Nursing Management of Stress
Responses
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Measuring stress
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Social Readjustment Rating Scale (Holmes and
Rahe)
• Measures level of positive and negative stressful life events
over a 1-year period

Recent Life Changes Questionnaire
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Nursing Management of Stress
Responses (Cont.)
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Assessing four coping styles
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Health-sustaining habits
Life satisfactions
Social supports
Effective and healthy responses to stress
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9
Managing Stress Through
Relaxation Techniques
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Biofeedback
Deep breathing exercises
Guided imagery
Progressive relaxation
Meditation/mindfulness
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10
Managing Stress Through
Relaxation Techniques (Cont.)
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Physical exercise
Cognitive reframing
Journaling
Humor
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