Theories of Stress
• Models of Stress • • Theories of Stress • Jan 10 08
There are several theoretical positions devised for examining and understanding stress and stress-related disorders. Brantley and Thomason (1995) categorized them into three groups: response…    

Stimulus Theories and Research
• Models of Stress • • Theories of Stress • Jan 10 08
Remaining consistent with the usage of the term ‘stress’ described in physics, some investigators have focused on stress as a stimulus. Most notable among…    

Interaction (Transactional) Theories and Research
• Models of Stress • • Theories of Stress • Jan 10 08
Although some theoretical perspectives have focused on stress as a stimulus and others have focused on stress as a response, most modern conceptualizations of…    

Modifiable Social Variables
• Models of Stress • • Individual Differences in Stress Responses • Jan 10 08
A number of social parameters have also been identified that influence the nature of the stressor??“stress response association. Most notably among these variables is the influence of one’s social network and the support an individual receives from it. Strong social support networks are associated with lesser risk for a wide variety of chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease and cancer (Uchino et al., 1996).

The onset of chronic diseases, at times resulting in fatal outcomes, is quite prevalent following the loss of significant sources of social support, like the loss of a spouse. In order to examine the role of this type of stress??“stress response relation, several investigators have taken these questions into the laboratory. Laboratory investigations of social support have demonstrated that the magnitude of an acute stress response can be significantly reduced by simply having a supportive friend present during the stress presentation (Kamarck, Annunziato, and Amateau, 1995; Uchino, Cacioppo, and Kiecolt-Glaser, 1996).     

Individual Differences in Stress Responses
• Models of Stress • • Individual Differences in Stress Responses • Jan 10 08
Regardless of whether researchers approach their field of study from a stimulus, response, or transactional perspective, there is a general recognition that individual differences…    

Modifiable Psychological Variables
• Models of Stress • • Individual Differences in Stress Responses • Jan 10 08
In addition to the several demographic or developmental factors that influence the magnitude and patterning of the acute physiological stress response, numerous psychological variables…    

Demographic and Historic Developmental Factors
• Models of Stress • • Individual Differences in Stress Responses • Jan 10 08
Stress reactions have been shown to be influenced by a number of individual difference variables over which one has very little control. For example,…    

A Comprehensive Model of Stress
• Models of Stress • • A Comprehensive Model of Stress • Jan 10 08
The empirical and theoretical work presented in this chapter demonstrates that a number of stages are needed in creating a comprehensive model of stress that can be used to address the primary questions posed in the Introduction to this book. Certainly, the important distinction between stressors and stress responses needs to be incorporated into such a model, as does acknowledgment that individual factors influence the magnitude and patterning of stress responses.

Further, in order to integrate the important facets from the literature on the stress??“health relation, it is clear that an interactive or transactional model would be necessary.    

Models of Stress - Summary
• Models of Stress • Jan 10 08
Considerable attention has been paid to the examination of behavioral or psychological factors related to medical disease outcomes. Borrowing the term ‘stress’ from the…    

Models of Stress
• Models of Stress • Dec 22 07
Like many other psychological constructs (for example, personality or intelligence), the construct of ‘stress’ lacks a uniformly accepted definition. Literally, the term was borrowed…    

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