Stress, Stressors and Models of Stress

Stress as defined by Selye (1936); distress and eustress (Selye, 1983). Stressors: types (psychological, environmental, social, cultural) and characteristics (source, duration, intensity). Models of stress: General Adaptation Syndrome (alarm, resistance, exhaustion); stress as a stimulus – Social Readjustment Scale (Holmes and Rahe, 1967); Transactional Theory of Stress and Coping (Lazarus and Folkman, 1984) – cognitive appraisal, problem- and emotion-focused coping. Health-related consequences: maladaptive and adaptive coping strategies.