Health, Stress, and Coping: Behaviour, Stress, and Illness

14.1 Behaviour and Health

Smoking

Smoking is a significant health behaviour that contributes to numerous physical illnesses and is a leading cause of preventable death worldwide.

• Nicotine Addiction: Nicotine is a psychoactive substance in tobacco that leads to dependence and withdrawal symptoms.

• Health Risks: Smoking increases the risk of lung cancer, cardiovascular disease, respiratory illnesses, and other health problems.

• Behavioural Cues: Environmental and social cues (such as being around other smokers or stressful situations) can trigger cravings and smoking behaviour.

• Example: A person may feel the urge to smoke when drinking coffee if these behaviours have been paired together repeatedly.

Additional info: The Scientific Literacy Model examines how cues in the environment influence smoking behaviour, integrating psychological theories of learning and behaviour change.

Obesity

Obesity is a condition characterized by excessive body fat that increases the risk of health problems.

• Causes: Obesity results from a combination of genetic, behavioural, and environmental factors, including overeating and physical inactivity.

• Health Consequences: Obesity is associated with heart disease, diabetes, certain cancers, and reduced life expectancy.

• Psychological Factors: Emotional eating, stress, and social influences can contribute to unhealthy eating patterns.

• Example: Individuals may eat high-calorie foods in response to stress or negative emotions.

Psychosocial Influences on Health

Psychosocial factors, such as social support, stress, and personality, play a crucial role in health outcomes.

• Social Support: Having strong social connections can buffer against stress and promote better health.

• Personality Traits: Traits like optimism and conscientiousness are linked to healthier behaviours and outcomes.

• Stress: Chronic stress can negatively impact health by influencing behaviours (e.g., smoking, overeating) and physiological processes.

• Example: People with supportive friends and family are more likely to recover quickly from illness.

Module 14.1 Summary

• Health behaviours such as smoking and eating patterns significantly affect physical health.

• Psychosocial factors, including social support and stress, interact with these behaviours to influence overall well-being.

14.2 Stress and Illness

What Causes Stress?

Stress is a psychological and physiological response to perceived challenges or threats, known as stressors.

• Types of Stressors: Can be acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term), and include life events, daily hassles, and traumatic experiences.

• Appraisal: The way an individual interprets a situation determines whether it is experienced as stressful.

• Example: Public speaking may be stressful for one person but not for another, depending on their appraisal.

Physiology of Stress

The body responds to stress through a series of physiological changes designed to prepare for 'fight or flight.'

• General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS): Describes the body's response to stress in three stages: alarm, resistance, and exhaustion.

• Hormonal Response: The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis releases cortisol and other stress hormones.

• Autonomic Nervous System: The sympathetic nervous system increases heart rate, blood pressure, and energy availability.

• Equation: $\text{Stress Response} \rightarrow \text{Hypothalamus} \rightarrow \text{Pituitary Gland} \rightarrow \text{Adrenal Cortex} \rightarrow \text{Cortisol Release}$

Stress, Immunity, and Illness

Chronic stress can weaken the immune system, increasing vulnerability to illness.

• Immunosuppression: Prolonged stress reduces the effectiveness of the immune response, making infections and diseases more likely.

• Psychoneuroimmunology: The study of how psychological factors, the nervous system, and the immune system interact.

• Example: Students often experience more colds during exam periods due to increased stress.

Additional info: The Scientific Literacy Model explores how hormones (like cortisol), social relationships, and psychological factors combine to influence health outcomes.