Introduction to Stress

•Stress is a common experience that impacts psychological and

physiological well-being.
•If unmanaged, it affects productivity, relationships, and overall
quality of life.
Examples of Stress
1.Nirav's Case:
1.Successful MBA graduate working as a manager.
2.Overwhelmed by job pressure, leading to irritability, lack of
interaction, inadequate eating/sleeping, and declining work
performance.
•Samina's Case:
•Bright student with ambitions to become a doctor.
•Left studies to care for her ill mother and siblings after her
mother fell sick and passed away.
•Began falling sick often, lost interest in studies, and became
disengaged from life.
•Ravi's Case:
•Worked hard expecting a promotion but was denied.
•Experienced frustration, declined productivity, family
conflicts, and eventually a psychological breakdown.
Key Points on Stress
•Causes:
• Job pressures, tragic life events, unmet expectations.
•Symptoms:
• Psychological: Irritability, anger, frustration, reduced
productivity.
• Physiological: Frequent illnesses without physical causes,
sleeplessness, poor eating habits.
•Impact:
• Negatively affects relationships with family, friends, and
colleagues.
• Reduces efficiency and well-being.
Importance of Stress Management
•Early identification and effective management of stress are
crucial.
•If unmanaged, stress can lead to severe mental, emotional, and
physical health issues.
•Addressing stress involves understanding its nature, symptoms,
sources, and adopting appropriate strategies.
Topics to Study in the Unit
•Definition and nature of stress.
•Symptoms and sources of stress.
•Measurement and management techniques.
Understanding stress is the first step to effectively managing it and
improving overall well-being.
1.2 Concept of Stress
•Origin of Stress:
The word stress comes from the Latin term "stringere," meaning "to
draw tight" (Cox, 1978). Initially linked to physical sciences, it was
later used to describe pressure, strain, and hardships. By the 17th
century, it became associated with challenges faced by individuals.
•Historical Context:
• Early focus: Stress was seen as an external force or stimulus.
• Cannon's Study: Introduced the "fight or flight" reaction and
examined physiological changes caused by stress.
• Hans Selye (1974): Defined stress as the body’s nonspecific
response to a demand.
• Baum et al. (1981): Viewed stress as a process where stressors
threaten a person’s well-being.
•Definitions of Stress:
•Schafer (1998): Stress involves arousal of both mind and
body in response to demands.
•Lazarus & Folkman (1984): Stress is a relationship
between the individual and the environment, which is
perceived as taxing or threatening. They emphasized that
stress is influenced by how events are interpreted and
coping strategies used.
•Truxillo et al. (2016): Stress includes physical, mental, or
emotional responses to changes requiring adaptation.
•Eastern Perspective: Stress represents a lack of inner
peace (Seaward, 2014), and stress management focuses on
achieving tranquility.
Key Concept - Stressor:
•A stressor is any situation, event, or person that triggers a stress
response.
•Definition by Gerrig & Zimbardo (2005): A stressor is a stimulus
demanding adaptive response.
•Categories of Stressors:
• Physical: Health issues, injuries, or fatigue.
• Psychological: Emotional challenges or personal worries.
• Environmental: Noise, pollution, or natural disasters.
• Social: Conflicts or relationship issues.
• Life Events: Major changes like marriage, divorce, or losing a
loved one.
•Examples of Stressors:
• Exams, work deadlines, financial problems, family
responsibilities, and adapting to technology changes.
Key Point:
Stress involves interactions between individuals and their
environment. It is influenced by how people perceive and
respond to challenges (stressors) and requires adaptive
strategies to cope effectively
Nature of Stress
•Stress is like salt and pepper—necessary in small amounts but
harmful when excessive.
•Optimal stress motivates action, but excessive stress hinders daily
functioning.
•Prolonged or intense stress negatively affects both mental and
physical health.
Types of Stress
1.Eustress:
1.Positive stress that motivates (e.g., excitement about a new
job or wedding).
2.Neustress:
1.Neutral stress; neither harmful nor beneficial.
3.Distress:
1.Negative stress due to too much or too little arousal.
2.Acute distress: Intense but short-term.
3.Chronic distress: Less intense but long-lasting.
4.Hyperstress:
4.Excessive stress that overwhelms.
5.Hypostress:
5.Too little stress, leading to lack of motivation.
Symptoms of Stress
1.Physical Symptoms:
1.Low energy, headaches, stomach upset, chest pain, muscle
tension.
2.Rapid heartbeat, frequent infections, sleep disturbances,
dryness in mouth.
•Emotional Symptoms:
•Irritability, frustration, feelings of worthlessness, loneliness,
depression.
•Psychological Symptoms:
•Constant worry, racing thoughts, forgetfulness, disorganization.
•Poor judgment, lack of focus, pessimism.
•Behavioral Symptoms:
•Decline in performance, substance use, poor time
management.
•Procrastination, fast eating/walking/talking, nervous habits,
appetite changes.
Key Takeaways
•Stress has varying effects on different people.
•Recognizing and managing stress helps maintain balance in
physical, emotional, psychological, and behavioral well-being.
Sources of Stress
1.Frustration:
1.Occurs when goal-directed behavior is blocked.
2.Examples: Missed promotions, personal limitations, or obstacles.
2.Conflict of Motives:
Stress from making decisions between competing goals.
1.Approach-Approach Conflict: Choosing between two positive options (e.g.,
two great job offers).
2.Avoidance-Avoidance Conflict: Choosing between two negative options
(e.g., unemployment or a disliked job).
3.Approach-Avoidance Conflict: A single goal with both positive and negative
outcomes (e.g., a job abroad offers excitement but requires leaving family).
4.Multiple Approach-Avoidance Conflict: Complex decisions involving mixed
positive and negative outcomes (e.g., pursuing passion vs. making parents
happy).
3.Pressure:
1.External Pressure: Expectations from others or environment (e.g.,
parental pressure to succeed).
2.Internal Pressure: Self-imposed demands (e.g., the need to meet
personal standards).
Other Sources of Stress
1.Personality Factors:
1.Type A Personality: Competitive, restless, achievement-oriented,
prone to stress.
2.Type B Personality: Relaxed and less stress-prone.
2.Life Events:
1.Major life changes such as marriage, divorce, death, job loss,
retirement, or moving.
2.These events challenge one’s ability to cope and adjust.
1.Daily Hassles:
1.Everyday challenges like time constraints, work overload, and
household responsibilities.
2.Interpersonal Relationships:
1.Conflicts within family, friends, peers, or at work can create
stress.
2.Can range from misunderstandings to severe abuse or violence.
3.Social Conditions:
1.Environmental factors such as crowding, discrimination,
technological changes, and pollution.
2.Globalization, competition, and social pressure also contribute to
stress.
Key Points:
•Stress can arise from frustrations, decision conflicts, and
external or internal pressures.
•Personality traits and life circumstances can make
individuals more or less prone to stress.
•Addressing sources of stress promptly can prevent
negative physical and psychological effects.
Measurement of Stress
Measuring stress is important for understanding and
addressing it effectively. Various methods are used:
1.Physiological Measures:
1.Observes physical changes like increased blood pressure,
rapid pulse, and hormone levels (e.g., cortisol,
epinephrine).
2.Tools used: Machines like polygraphs, and biochemical
tests for stress hormones.
Limitations:
1.Changes may occur due to other factors, not just
stress.
2.Tests can cause stress themselves.
3.Expensive and time-consuming.
2.Psychological Tests:
•Self-report inventories where individuals answer questions about
their stress levels.
•Advantages:
•Simple, inexpensive, and easy to use.
•Provides personal insights into stress experiences.
•Limitations:
•Language barriers or misunderstanding of questions.
•Tendency to give socially desirable answers.
3.Checklists:
•A list of major life events is provided (e.g., divorce, death, job loss).
•Individuals mark events they have experienced in a specific period.
•Measures the pressure on coping resources caused by these
events.
4.Interviews:
1.Face-to-face interaction to collect detailed information
about stress.
2.Types: Structured, unstructured, or semi-structured
interviews.
3.Advantages: Provides in-depth insights.
4.Limitations:
1.Time-consuming and costly.
2.Requires trained interviewers.
Key Points:
•Combining methods often provides a better understanding of
stress.
•Each method has its strengths and limitations, so the choice
depends on the situation and purpose.