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,…    

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