HNC Social Care

Psychology for Care

What is stress?

There are many definitions of stress. Stress is an individuals response to a

stimulus in the environment Stress occurs when perceived demands

on an individual exceed resources Stress is an emotion Stress is a condition of physiological and

psychological arousal

Definitions

Stress- “ A pattern of negative physiological states and

psychological responses occurring in situations where people perceive threats to their well-being which they may be unable to meet” (Lazarus & Fockman, 1984)

“Stress is the individual’s response to an inappropriate level of pressure. It is the response to the pressure, not the pressure itself.’ (Arroba & James 1987)

Causes of Stress

External causes: Lifestyle-drinking/addictions/obesity/relationship Work based problems Environmental problems-noise/poverty/housing

etcInternal Causes: Poor health Low self esteem/low confidence Age related changes e.g. adolescence/mid life

crises

StressWhile some stimulus or arousal is good for us, excessive amounts can result in physical psychological emotional social effects which are unpleasant in the short term

and harmful in the long term

Physical effects Headaches Nausea Neck/back pain High blood pressure Ulcers Strokes

Psychological/Behavioural Effects Confusion Anxiety Inability to concentrate Depression Overeating Drug abuse Aggression

The Holmes-Rahe Social Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRS) Based on their well known study in 1967 into the

effects of life events and the subsequent follow-up studies, Dr.T. Holmes and Dr. R. Rahe created the SRRS

noted that patients often had experienced several life events in the months before becoming ill.

They developed a list, of 43 such life events Some of the events are desirable, but appear

because any change is stressful. Each life event carries a score in life change

units.

The Holmes-Rahe Social Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRS)

These predictions are not definite. What produces a change in physical or

mental health status is an interaction of many factors such as how significant those life events are to you

your personal capacity to cope with change the quality of your support system through

family, work and friends. Completing this inventory can give you some

insight into the stressors that are potentially hazardous to your health and well-being

What do we mean by resilience? Overcoming the odds – being

successful despite exposure to high risk

Sustaining competence under pressure – adapting to high risk

Recovering from trauma – adjusting successfully to negative life events

Resilience“Compared to non-resilient children, a

resilient child can resist adversity, cope with uncertainty and recover more successfully from traumatic events” (Barnardo’s 2001)

Intrinsic FactorsResearch suggests that in order to promote

resilience, children need: A secure base: a sense of belonging and

security Good self-esteem: an internal sense of

worth and competence A sense of self-efficacy: a sense of

mastery and control, along with an accurate understanding of personal strengths and limitations

Extrinsic FactorsIn addition to intrinsic factors there also

needs to be: At least one secure attachment

relationship Access to wider supports such as extended

family and friends Positive nursery, school and or community

experiences

Resilience: normal development under difficult circumstances

Adversity Protective Factors

Vulnerability: Those characteristics of the child, their family and the wider community which might threaten or challenge healthy development, e.g. isolated parent, poor housing, lack of community support

Life events or circumstances which pose a threat to healthy development, e.g. racism, domestic violence, parental depression etc.

Factors which buffer the affects of adversity, e.g. a good school experience, secure attachment etc.