Today, we all are a part of a globalizing era which is characterized by excellence, competitions, quality etc.; along with stress, strain human being and in a world that is changing at a tremendous pace, globalization had led to a dynamic change all over the world. Many events occurring in daily life bring challenges that last upon our minds, bodies and emotions to different extents, subjecting us to stress of various types namely mental, physical and emotional.
Stress is a state, which an individual finds himself in, when his systems and faculties are unable to measure up to that challenge even by stretching the capacities to the maximum one. Life stress is the reality and no one can deny that he/she does not have stress in life. Stress includes all human beings irrespective of their gender, age, category, religion, level of education occupation, income etc.. It includes all services such as agriculture, business, education, housing, manufacturing etc. Thus it should be considered as an important aspect of life without which life will become boring.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Concept of Stress
3. Response oriented Approach
4. Psychodynamic Approach
5. Stimulus-oriented Approach
6. Eustress-Positive Stress
7. Distress-Negative Stress
8. Stages of Stress
8.1 Alarm stage
8.2 Resistance stage
8.3 Exhaustion stage
9. Symptoms of Stress
10. Stress Process
Objectives and Research Themes
The objective of this work is to provide a comprehensive overview of the phenomenon of stress within the context of a rapidly globalizing era, exploring its definitions, physiological and psychological impacts, and the processes through which it influences human health.
- Conceptual definitions and theoretical approaches to understanding stress.
- Distinction between Eustress (positive stress) and Distress (negative stress).
- The physiological stages of stress: Alarm, Resistance, and Exhaustion.
- Identification of common physical, mental, and behavioral stress symptoms.
- Structural components of the life stress process and their influence on health outcomes.
Excerpt from the Book
Concept of Stress:
Beehr and Newman (1978) considered stress to be condition that individual’s psychological and physical states such that is forced deviate from the normal functioning. Lazarus (1984) “Stress is in harmonious fit between person and the environment, one in which the person’s resources are taxed or exceed, forcing the person to struggle, usually in complex way and to cope with.”
A three-system approach can also be applied to stress. Frankenhaeuser (1983) defines psychological stress as involving a cognitive appraisal of the balance between situational demands, on the one hand and personal coping on the other. The greater the perceived difference between the two, then the more psychosocial factors is implicated in arousing the pituitary adrenocortical and sympathetic adrenal systems. Stress is seen as an intervening variable that sets off a coordinated pattern of compensatory responses having behavioral, autonomic, and experiential aspects.
Pearlin, Liberman, Menaghan and Mullan (1981) agrees that stress refers to a response of the organism to a noxious or threatening condition. If persons have experienced numerous, intense or prolonged episodes of stress, their resistance will be reduced. The experience of stress, moreover, does not lead to personal deterioration. But somehow stress benefits people, making them more tender, humble and hardy. Both gains and losses have been identified in longitudinal studies (Haan, 1977). So it may facilitate growth by tempering arrogance and by enhancing our tenderness toward others and ourselves.
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: Provides a contextual background on stress as an unavoidable element of modern life, influenced by the pressures of a globalizing world.
Concept of Stress: Outlines various scholarly definitions and theoretical frameworks for understanding the nature of stress as an interaction between individuals and their environment.
Response oriented Approach: Briefly introduces the concept of analyzing stress based on an individual's reaction under difficult conditions.
Psychodynamic Approach: Examines stress through the lens of external and internal threats to the integrity of the organism.
Stimulus-oriented Approach: Defines stress as the imbalance between perceived demands and an individual's ability to cope.
Eustress-Positive Stress: Explains the constructive side of stress, which can lead to increased motivation and positive outcomes.
Distress-Negative Stress: Describes the adverse form of stress that reduces effectiveness and causes health issues.
Stages of Stress: Details the General Adaptation Syndrome consisting of alarm, resistance, and exhaustion phases.
Symptoms of Stress: Lists primary indicators of stress including cognitive, emotional, and physical manifestations.
Stress Process: Analyzes the structural components of how life events trigger stress and affect health and adaptation.
Keywords
Stress, Globalization, Eustress, Distress, General Adaptation Syndrome, Psychological Appraisal, Coping Mechanisms, Life Events, Mental Health, Stressors, Behavioral Response, Psychosocial Factors, Alarm Stage, Exhaustion, Human Adaptation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this work?
This work provides an overview of the stress phenomenon, examining its definitions, origins, and how it impacts individuals in the modern, globalized world.
What are the central themes discussed?
The central themes include the definition of stress, the categorization of stress into positive and negative types, the physical stages of the stress response, and the structural components of the stress process.
What is the core objective of the research?
The objective is to synthesize various theoretical perspectives to clarify how environmental events trigger stress and subsequently affect an individual's health and functioning.
Which scientific methods are referenced?
The text employs literature reviews and theoretical synthesis, referencing historical research like Hans Selye's General Adaptation Syndrome and various psychological models from authors like Lazarus and Frankenhaeuser.
What topics are covered in the main section?
The main sections cover the concept of stress, the three-system approach, the distinction between Eustress and Distress, the stages of the stress response, and the life stress process model.
Which keywords best characterize this document?
Key terms include Stress, Eustress, Distress, General Adaptation Syndrome, and the Life Stress Process.
How does the author define the relationship between stress and personal growth?
The author notes that while prolonged stress is harmful, some stress can foster personal growth by building resilience and enhancing empathy towards others.
What are the components of the "Life Stress Process" model?
The model includes the stimulus components (life events), the ongoing social situation, and the personal characteristics or disposition of the individual.
What are the defining characteristics of a life event according to the author?
Significant properties include the event's negative valence, its fatefulness, its life-threatening nature, the magnitude of change required, and the potential for physical exhaustion.
- Citation du texte
- Ruchi Sachdeva (Auteur), 2016, Stress. An Overview, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/339938
