Sources of Stress - Essay Example

Stress What are stressors and what are some of the most important sources of stress? The Psychology Glossary defines stressor as “anything (physical or psychological) that produces stress (negative or positive) is considered a stressor. For example, getting a promotion is a positive event, but may also produce a great deal of stress with all the new responsibilities, work load, etc.” (Psychology Glossary). In this regard, some of the most important sources of stress were categorized by NASA as: (1) relevant adjustments in life; (2) ordinary daily routines; (3) self-expectations deemed unrealistic; and (4) interpersonal relationships (NASA 1). 2. What is the life events approach and what problems are associated with this approach? There were three identified stress theories: life-events theory, hardiness theory, and social support theory, which, according to San Ramon, differ according to the interplay of mixed stress components (San Ramon par. 1). The life-events theory emphasizes that “reactions to stress depend upon the duration of exposure to stressors and the degree or strength of these stressors. This theory is supported by Holmes & Rahe (1967), Lazarus (1966), and DeLongis (1982). Proponents of the life events theory measure stress as the accumulation of major and minor life events, minus major and minor uplifts” (San Ramon par. 2). Since this stress theory actually assumes that a person’s net stress is measured by balancing the duration and degree of major and minor life events, it is subject to subjectivity in terms of defining which events are considered major or minor, depending on the points of views and perspectives of the people involved. 3. Describe the four patterns of acculturation, noting the level of acculturative stress likely to be produced by each pattern. Give some examples. Acculturation was defined in Learnmax as “the interchange of cultural attitudes and behaviors—involves changes in styles of speech, social behaviors, attitudes, beliefs, customs, celebration of holidays, and choices of foods and entertainment” (Learnmax par. 1). Accordingly, the four patterns of acculturation are: (1)  integration—combining aspects of the new culture with aspects of the native culture; (2) assimilation—replacing the native cultural orientation with the new cultural orientation; (3) separation— retaining the native cultural orientation while rejecting the new cultural orientation; or (4) marginalization— becoming alienated from both cultures. The level of acculturative stress that is likely to be produced by each pattern was explained by Eustace as she suggested that “integration would stand out to be the best predictor of lower stress levels than assimilation, separation and marginalization. The hypothesis was based on the earlier literature that the integrationist strategy offers a bicultural base of support in which acculturating individuals have the most protective factors (i.e., two social support systems) (Berry, 1997). Marginalization, on the other hand, offers the least adaptation while assimilation and separation are intermediate. However, the findings suggest that the assimilation strategy significantly predicted lower acculturative stress levels better than integration” (Eustace par. 14). However, upon initial evaluation, it seems to be rationally supported that the level of acculturative stress in during the pattern of integration when one is initially immersed to a new culture and tries to adapt, adjust and appropriately react and respond to situations, values, or traditions that are diversely different from what one is accustomed to. For example, for an Easterner (from Japan) moving to the West (USA), there is higher stress at the onset due to language, traditions, and way of life. Assimilation follows in stress level, followed by separation and marginalization as the person learns to slowly adapt and adjust to the new environment and culture. 4. Describe the different types of social support, and contrast helpful and unhelpful support behaviors. Scott reveals that there are four different types of social support: emotional (providing physical comfort that enhances one’s emotions), esteem (manifesting giving of confidence and encouragement), informational (providing significant information, data, and advice) and tangible (providing instrumental evidence of assistance such as money, or physical help) supports (Scott 1). To contrast helpful from unhelpful support behaviors, one must be made aware that helpful or positive behavior support refers to the “application of positive behavioral interventions and systems to achieve socially important behavioral change” (Columbia Public Schools 1). On the other hand, unhelpful support behaviors apply behavioral interventions which could initially be thought of as assisting the recipient but would result in negative socially behavioral change. Helpful support behaviors are manifested through according any of the four types of social support that would result in positive social change. For example, an unemployed individual is given informational support through an advice of where he or she could apply to make him earn income and be productive. In contrast, unhelpful support for an unemployed individual is providing tangible support by giving him or her money regularly making him or her dependent on the giver and therefore not making the person a productive member of society. 5. What advice would you give someone who is experiencing severe stress? Someone who is experiencing severe stress and manifesting signs and symptoms of acute stress disorder, defined as “is a psychiatric diagnosis that was introduced into the DSM-IV in 1994. The current diagnostic criteria for ASD are similar to the criteria for PTSD, although the criteria for ASD contain a greater emphasis on dissociative symptoms and the diagnosis can only be given within the first month after a traumatic event” (Depression Guide.com par. 3), can only be given appropriate advice if the underlying signs are clearly understood. As expounded in the Depression Guide, “acute stress disorder is a condition where a person begins to experience anxiety symptoms and begins to relive certain events from one’s past. It can also involve a person trying to avoid certain stimuli that can relate to a particular event” (Depression Guide.com par. 4). The person who should give the advice must be well versed with the disorder as well as the interventions for treatment. As explicitly indicated, “the individual with acute stress disorder often will not seek treatment because their ability to mobilize and perform necessary tasks is affected. The severity of the disorder may be reduced if professional intervention is initiated soon after the trauma. Treatment for acute stress disorder usually includes a combination of antidepressant medications and short-term psychotherapy” (Depression Guide.com par. 19). In this regard, unless one is a professional practitioner in the treatment of psychiatric disorders, the best advice is to seek professional help who could recommend the necessary medications, in conjunction with counseling or therapeutic interventions, as deeded required. 6. Describe a very stressful event in your life and how you did cope or are coping with it today. Personally, aside from coping with academic requirements, there is no major stressful event I have experienced in my life. However, a relative of mine, a distant auntie experienced a very stressful event in terms of directly addressing the problems of her husband, diagnosed for chronic renal disease, who have developed habitual preference for narcotic drugs for his pains that ensued from the need to amputate one leg due to infections as complications for his diabetes. The stressful events were even confounded by financial difficulties and the need to support six children concurrently with addressing the medical conditions of her husband. Eventually, after a month long admission in the hospital, my auntie’s husband eventually died. As analyzed, this event was considered a major stressful situation in terms of identifying the sources of stress as coming from diverse facets such as relevant adjustments in life (due to the need for the husband and family to adjust and adapt to changes that resulted first from the amputation and eventually the demise of the husband and the need to cope with life’s challenges given the limited amount of financial resources the family had); and (4) interpersonal relationships (the strained relationship due to the increasingly difficult demands of a sick husband (and father) and the need to support the six children at the same time). To cope with the major stressors, it is fortunate that my auntie was physically and emotionally prepared of the consequences and the social support accorded her by her children and relatives provided the cushion to respond and react appropriately to the stressful situation. Her mature stance and solid presence of mind enabled her to focus not on the problems and stressors but more so on the positive results that could be derived from the experience. Although she acknowledged that losing someone you love is very painful, she has accepted the fact that death a normal part of life and that her husband’s demise would be beneficial for him so that he would not be subjected to so much agony and pain. During the trying situation, her relatives and friends provided emotional and tangible supports which were helpful for the whole family to get back to their feet and to find ways and means to support everyday needs. Their faith in God also provided spiritual support and assisted the family to cope with the major stressful event that has now come to pass. They are looking forward to collaborately assist each other in building a brighter future. Works Cited Columbia Public Schools. Postive Behavior Support Definition. 5 December 2006. Web. 13 July 2011 . Depression Guide.com. Acute Stress Disorder (ASD). 2005. Web. 13 July 2011 . Eustace, Rosemary William. FACTORS INFLUENCING ACCULTURATIVE STRESS AMONG INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS IN THE UNITED STATES. 2 December 2010. Web. 13 July 2011 . Learnmax. ACCULTURATION SCALES: ACCULTURATION, HABITS, AND INTERESTS MULTICULTURAL SCALE FOR ADOLESCENTS. 31 May 2010. Web. 13 July 2011 . NASA. Sources of Stress. N.D. Web. 13 July 2011 . Psychology Glossary. Definition of: Stressor. 2011. Web. 13 July 2011 . San Ramon, Razel Grace. Stress Theories. 29 December 2010.Web. 13 July 2011 . Scott, Elizabeth. Types of Social Support. 8 March 2010. Web. 13 July 2011 . Read More