Personality, Perception and Sources of Stress

Explain the role of self-concept in an individual's perception of stress and ability to cope with stressors.

• Self-concept
• Self-esteem
• Self-worth
• Self-acceptance
• Self-confidence
• Self-actualization
• Rudiments of perception - values, heritage, previous experience, trauma, family scripts

Identify specific components of the Type A behavior pattern which are associated with coronary risk.

• aggression
• irritation
• anger
• impatience
• hostility

Distinguish between Type A and Type B personality patterns via various traits.

• fast speech
• impatience
• competitiveness
• hard-driving
• achievement-oriented
• verbal sparring

Explain the concept of locus of control as it relates to stress responses and stress management.

• internal-external dominance (independence)
• choice and control versus fate and others in control
• under stressful circumstances the intensity of response is related to the feeling of control or lack thereof

Explain the concept of learned helplessness as it relates to stress responses and stress management.

• Seligman demonstrated a helpless/hopeless syndrome which impairs survival efforts
• Learned helplessness - also produces chemical imbalance, depression and the tendency toward self-destructive thoughts and actions

Discriminate between assertive, passive, aggressive and passive/aggressive behavior.

• Assertive = standing up for legitimate rights
• Passive = acquiescing to pressure (implied or real)
• Aggressive = to go beyond legitimate rights to get revenge or to get special treatment or take advantage of others
• Passive/Aggressive = failing to be assertive in a direct manner and making covert efforts of aggression (sabotaging efforts or withholding customary rewards).

Explain the concept of perception as it is used in the interpretation of stressful events.

• Keeping things in perspective
• What is the worst possible outcome?
• Can we look for unexpected benefit during crises
• Make lemonade out of lemons

Identify and explain how these factors may influence an individual's cognitive appraisal of a stressor:

• Past experience(s).
• Personality.
• Cultural background.
• Moral values.
• Family background.
• Social support network.
• Gender.
• Life-style.
• Personal belief system.

Define cognitive appraisal as it relates to the amount of stress perceived.

• Assessment of the situation (immediate need?)
• Factor in past experience with similar problem
• Determine the potential sequences (worst possible outcome)
• Consider problem-solving options (take action)
• Make a decision regarding action vs. acceptance

List Attitudes that are at high risk for burnout.

"High Risk for Burnout" sound clip (aiff format - 1.6 Mg)
• Having very high ideals
• Always getting impatient/annoyed with others
• Feeling only your ideas are RIGHT!
• Blaming yourself ("shoulding on yourself")
• Having a tendency to always blame others
• Feeling like you have to do every job for yourself
• Feeling equally upset with minor hassles, etc. vs. something more serious
• Feeling you have more and more to do and less and less time to do it in
• Accepting social obligations that you know you will not have time for later
• Spending more time and energy on trivial tasks while avoiding the more difficult ones

Define Stages of Burnout.

"Stages of Burnout" sound clip (aiff format - 1.0 Mg)
• Stage 1: Early Stress Arousal
• Stage 2: Struggle & Resistance
• Stage 3: Exhaustion & Breakdown

Describe the concept of hardiness as it relates to the perception of a stressful event.

Explain how attentional focus and/or level of concentration can distort one's perception of a stressor.

• Attentional Focus = visual/auditory monitoring of events, circumstances or internal thoughts
• Fully attended focus on a neutral event prevents one from being affected by other stressors
• Failing to concentrate fully upon a central topic allows one to over-estimate the impact of a stressor

Describe how self-efficacy influences stress response.

• Efficacy = capacity to accomplish tasks
• Self-efficacy = perceived capability to handle problems, to overcome hardship
• Stress is minimal among those who look upon problems as opportunities to overcome adversity and to gain new experience
• a crisis can be a challenge or an opportunity for a change to something better (oriental philosophy)

Identify the major types of stressors:

• Psychological: Attitude, personality, self-esteem, ethnicity
• Give an example how one of these caused stress
• Physical: Environment, nutrition, drugs/chemicals
• Describe a situation where one caused added stress
• Role: Role conflict/ambiguity, multiple roles
• Describe a situation where one caused added stress
• Sociological: Political, economic, ethnic, cultural background Describe a situation in which one of these has influenced your stress level
• Physical Illness/Residual Disability: Birth defect/chronic illness
• Biomechanical Stressors: Job site design flaw (ie. carpal tunnel syndrome, repetitive motion)
• Stages of Human Development: Birth, adolescence, adulthood, maturity, death

Explain the concept of secondary stressor.

• Indirect effects spin-off from higher order source
• Loss of job = shortage of $ = "hand me down" clothes = embarrassed child under stress

Describe the impact of change in life events

• Disruption of usual pattern of behavior
• Anticipation of future problems
• Accumulation of several difficult adjustments

The role of uncertainty causing stress.

• Some individuals have need for control
• Uncertainty leaves one feeling "out of control"
• Lacking control is a threat to some people

Overload and Burnout at Work (Stress Arousal Stage)

• Persistent irritability and anxiety
• Bruxism and/or Insomnia
• Occasional forgetfulness and/or inability to concentrate

Overload and Burnout (Stress Resistance Stage)

• Absenteeism or tardiness for work
• Tired and fatigued for no reason
• Procrastination and indecision
• Social withdrawal with cynicism
• Resentful, indifferent, defiant
• Increased use of coffee, alcohol, tobacco, etc.

Overload and Burnout (Severe Exhaustion Stage)

• Chronic sadness or depression
• Chronic mental and physical fatigue
• Chronic stress related illnesses (headache, stomach ache, bowel problems, etc.)
• Isolation, withdrawal, self-destructive thoughts

Self-generated stressors: unnecessary worry

• Making mountains out of mole-hills
• What other statements describe this phenomenon?
• Give examples of unnecessary worry
• Describe the stress responses you observed

Factors causing maladaptive stress

• Losing sleep worrying about problem
• Overeating or failing to eat due to worry
• What other factors have you seen?

Intensity, duration and frequency of stressful event

• Intensity - the level, degree, extent of upset
• Duration - short, moderate, long (second to years)
• Frequency - how often does the issue arise

Distinguish between defense mechanisms and coping mechanisms

Usual Defense	Coping Strategy
Repression (blocking out)	Letting go of the past
Denial (refusal to accept)	Maintain hope for the better
Displacement (take it out on others)	Take it out on a punching bag
Projection (blaming others)	Help others get over it
Rationalization (excuses)	Re-structure the incident