3.4 Stress

3.4.1 Sources of stress.

• physiology of stress: the General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) and the effects of stress on health.
• causes of stress:.
• Holmes and Rahe's life events.
• work including a study, e.g. Chandola et al. (2008).

This matters because —sources of stress determines what can be inferred or chosen; begin with the stated conditions and keep the conclusion tied to the evidence.

Example: apply —sources of stress to one small, clearly defined case, show the key step or comparison, and explain the result in words.

Boundary: —Sources of stress is not a universal recommendation. Check the syllabus scope, assumptions, units and the limits of the evidence before generalising.

3.4.2 Measures of stress.

• biological measures:.
• recording devices for heart rate and brain function (fMRI), including a study, e.g. Wang et al. (2005).
• sample tests for salivary cortisol, including a study, e.g. Evans and Wener (2007).
• psychological measures: self-report questionnaires, including tests of Friedman and Rosenman's Type A personality and Holmes and Rahe's life events questionnaire.

This matters because —measures of stress determines what can be inferred or chosen; begin with the stated conditions and keep the conclusion tied to the evidence.

Example: apply —measures of stress to one small, clearly defined case, show the key step or comparison, and explain the result in words.

Boundary: —Measures of stress is not a universal recommendation. Check the syllabus scope, assumptions, units and the limits of the evidence before generalising.

3.4.3 Preventing and managing stress.

• psychological therapy: biofeedback, including a study, e.g. Budzynski and Stoyva. (1969).
• use of imagery to reduce stress (exemplified by the following key study).
• Key study on relaxation and imagery in reducing stress during medical treatment: Bridge et al. (1988).
• preventing stress: three phases of stress inoculation training.

This matters because —preventing and managing stress determines what can be inferred or chosen; begin with the stated conditions and keep the conclusion tied to the evidence.

Example: apply —preventing and managing stress to one small, clearly defined case, show the key step or comparison, and explain the result in words.

Boundary: —Preventing and managing stress is not a universal recommendation. Check the syllabus scope, assumptions, units and the limits of the evidence before generalising.