Gongaware 1

Stress Literature Review

By:

Monica Gongaware

English 1313 11 November 2 13 !ro"essor #rturo Lechuga

Gongaware 2
Stress

Stress a""ects many $eo$le every %ay& whether it is "rom wor'& school& "amily& "rien%s& etc( Stress can occur "rom whomever& whenever an% wherever( Stress can be goo% "or a $erson in a sense that the $erson will e)$erience stress "rom a certain situation but eventually will have the ability to co$e with it naturally thus& giving the $erson the ability to co$e when being in that $articular situation much easier( *owever& stress can be very ba% "or a $erson when in a situation where a $erson e)$eriences a traumatic event or an event that stretches over a long $erio% o" time that can %elay co$ing to occur an% there"ore stress 'ee$s $iling on an% on which can a""ect a $erson+s health( ,o "urther un%erstan% stress& the "ollowing -uestions will be answere%: 1( .hat is stress an% what are the sym$toms o" stress/ 2( .hat chronic %iseases0%isor%ers are closely relate% to stress/ 3( 1o certain contributing "actors heighten an in%ivi%ual+s stress levels/ 2" so& to what e)tent/ 3( *ow is stress treate% 4co$ing mechanisms& counseling& thera$y& "acilities& etc(5/ ,his literature review will "ocus mainly on the -uestions liste% above an% how stress contributes to a $erson+s health& as well as show how to manage stress through %i""erent co$ing strategies( .hat is stress an% what are the sym$toms o" stress/ Stress is the tension a $erson "eels when in a certain situation( .hen a $erson e)$eriences stress whether it be goo% or ba% stress& they react in a certain way an% this is %ue to the sym$toms they "eel at the time( Sym$toms o" stress are %i""erent "rom $erson to $erson&

Gongaware 3 6Stress7relate% sym$toms& inclu%ing $sychiatric sym$toms 4insomnia& %e$ression& an)iety5& %isor%ers o" visceral "unctions 4car%iovascular& %igestive& res$iratory& urinary tract5 an% %isor%ers o" en%ocrine& immune an% musculos'eletal systems(8 41ias 9:5 2n the statement above& it e)$lains the %i""erent sym$toms o" stress an% where they can occur in the bo%y( Some o" these sym$toms can be loss o" slee$& bo%y $ains li'e nec' an% bac' $ains& stomach $ains& emotional sym$toms 4li'e anger& sa%ness& "ear& etc(5& tension with one+s sel"& the inability to concentrate& loss o" a$$etite& loss o" motivation& %i""iculty to ma'e %ecisions& substance abuse& an% many more can be %erive% "rom the $assage above to %etermine what sym$toms are relate% to stress( .here %oes stress begin e)actly/ 6#llostatic overloa% resulting "rom chronic stress in animal mo%els causes atro$hy o" neurons in the hi$$ocam$us an% $re"rontal corte)& brain regions involve% in memory& selective attention& an% e)ecutive "unction& an% causes hy$ertro$hy o" neurons in the amyg%ala& a brain region involve% in "ear an% an)iety& as well as aggression( ,hus& the ability to learn an% remember an% ma'e %ecisions may be com$romise% by chronic stress& an% may be accom$anie% by increase% levels o" an)iety an% aggression(8 4McEwen $ara( 135 ,his $assage goes into %etail o" how the brain "unctions an% reacts to stress( # great e)am$le to e)$lain this $assage in a better $ers$ective woul% be to e)amine the brain through a visual $resente% in "igure(1& a $erson can see ;ust how stress travels through the brain sen%ing messages throughout the bo%y which the bo%y res$on%s to an% $ro%uces the sym$toms o" stress( 2n "igure( 2& the mo%el %emonstrates how outsi%e "actors or events cause the stress in the brain an% the cycle in which the brain res$on%s to the events that have occurre%( <or e)am$le environment stressors li'e stress at wor' causes the brain to overloa% %ue to %ea%lines& being con"ine% in an o""ice s$ace& "ear o" the lac' o"

Gongaware 3 a$$roval "rom boss& collaborating with colleagues& an% so much more can cause so much stress on a $erson an% because o" the %eman%ing wor' loa% an% the amount o" hours wor'e% can %elay a $erson "rom co$ing with the stress that they have accumulate% "rom their %eman%ing ;obs( <igure( 1 <igure( 2

=nce 'nowing what stress is& the sym$toms o" stress& an% how the bo%y res$on%s to stress> what ha$$ens when stress becomes e)cessive or continuous "or a $erson( .oul% this stress buil% u$ to other ty$es o" stress %isor%ers or coul% it contribute to other health ris's such as chronic %iseases( .hat chronic %iseases0%isor%ers are closely relate% to stress/ ?hronic %iseases are cause% by multi$le "actors inclu%ing %iet& $hysical activity& genetic "actors& an% other %iseases %ue to closely relate% sym$toms an% wea'ene% immune system( Stress can cause chronic %iseases "rom $oor co$ing strategies an% stress sym$toms( Some o" the sym$toms inclu%e% in stress were $oor slee$& lac' o" motivation an% substance abuse(

Gongaware @ .ith lac' o" slee$ alone can cause many chronic %iseases to arise such as car%iovascular %iseases& %iabetes& an% obesity( Lac' o" motivation can cause %e$ression to occur an% substance abuse alone is lin'e% to numerous %iseases such as car%iovascular %isease& *2A0#21S& liver %isease& an% even cancer( Most o" the sym$toms o" stress $iggy bac' on chronic %iseases an% can lea% to costly health bills& which creates even more stress an% lea%s to ris'y behavior ;eo$ar%iBing a $erson+s health "urther( Stress sym$toms can $lay a role in contributing to chronic %iseases> however& stress can lea% to many chronic %iseases through bo%y regulation "rom stress( 2n "igure( 3& many o" the bo%y+s "unctions are a""ecte% "rom various sym$toms o" stress( ,hese regulate% areas cause many "luctuations in the bo%y which can lea% to chronic %iseases li'e %iabetes& %e$ression& immune su$$ression an% other %iseases(
Figure. 3

6 Both ma;or %e$ression an% ?ushing+s %isease are associate% with chronic elevation o" cortisol that results in gra%ual loss o" minerals "rom bone an% ab%ominal obesityCMoreover& there are a variety o" other an)iety7relate% %isor%ers& such as $ost7traumatic stress %isor%er 4!,S15 4Bremner& 2 25 4!itman& 2 15 an% bor%erline $ersonality %isor%er 41riessen et al(&

Gongaware D 2 5& in which atro$hy o" the hi$$ocam$us has been re$orte%& suggesting that this is a

common $rocess re"lecting chronic imbalance in the activity o" a%a$tive systemsC#nother im$ortant "actor in hi$$ocam$al volume an% "unction is glucose regulation( =utright ,y$e 2 %iabetes an% $oor glucose control as measure% by glycosylate% hemoglobin is associate% with re%uce% hi$$ocam$al volumeC<urthermore& $oor glucose regulation is associate% with smaller hi$$ocam$al volume an% $oorer memory "unction in in%ivi%uals in their D +s an% E +s who have 6mil% cognitive im$airment8 4mil% cognitive im$airment5 4?onvit et al(& 2 35& an% both mil% cognitive im$airment an% ,y$e 2& as well as ,y$e 1& %iabetes are

recogniBe% as ris' "actors "or %ementia(8 4McEwen $ara(315 2n the $assage above& it e)$lains in %etail ;ust how stress can lea% to chronic %iseases( <or e)am$le& the $assage use% how cortisol in the bo%y increases %ue to stress which can cause ab%ominal obesity as well as how glucose is $oorly regulate% which results in ty$e 2 %iabetes an% how stress can cause $oor memory which lea%s to %ementia( ,hus stress can lea% to a number o" %iseases %ue to stress sym$toms an% bo%y regulation %ue to stress an% levels o" stress& however> are there certain "actors that in%ivi%uals attain contribute to higher levels o" stress in %i""erent communities/ 1o certain contributing "actors heighten an in%ivi%ual+s stress levels/ 2" so& to what e)tent/ ,here are many "actors that contribute to a $erson+s stress levels( Some o" these "actors inclu%e an% are not limite% to socioeconomic status& e%ucation& environment& ethnicity& age& an% se)( .ith these "actors in min%& how %o they contribute to stress among in%ivi%uals an% why are they so im$ortant/ Socioeconomic status $lays a crucial role in stress levels> this is %ue to "inancial res$onsibilities an% insecurity o" the "uture( 6<or e)am$le& the chronic e)$erience o" low SES at the in%ivi%ual level coul% involve en%uring "inancial har%shi$s& a sense o" insecurity

Gongaware E regar%ing "uture $ros$erity& an% the $ossible %emoraliBing "eelings o" marginaliBation or social e)clusion attributable to com$arative social& occu$ational& or material %isa%vantage( <urther& an in%ivi%ualFs $erce$tion o" her or his relative stan%ing or ran'ing in a social hierarchy& "ormally terme% sub;ective social status& may a""ect an in%ivi%ualFs $attern o" emotional& behavioral an% $hysiological reactivity to an% recovery "rom li"e stressors& conse-uently im$acting ris' "or ill health(8 4McEwen $ara 95 ,his $assage is a great e)am$le on how $eo$le with a very low stan%ing o" socioeconomic status 4SES5 accumulates stress %ue to the emotions o" struggling in the economy which can $ut a $erson+s health at ris' "or chronic %iseases as e)$laine% earlier( Socioeconomic status encom$asses an array o" in%ivi%uals such as ethnically %iverse $eo$le& a s$an o" age grou$s& male an% "emales& low income "amilies( Since socioeconomic status inclu%es a variety o" $eo$le& then what "actors "rom the list in"luence stress an% why/ 6.ith regar% to age& ol%er "amily members showe% more with%rawn sym$toms& somatic com$laints& an% thought $roblems& while younger "amily members showe% more an)iety0%e$ression an% social $roblems( #ge also interacte% with other in%e$en%ent variables( #ge interacte% with $overty7relate% stress to $re%ict an)iety0%e$ression& showing that $overty7relate% stress is most harm"ul "or chil%ren an% a%olescents& e)acerbating sym$toms "or them more than a%ults( #ge interacte% with neighborhoo% mobility to $re%ict with%rawn sym$toms an% thought $roblems& showing that mobility is more harm"ul "or a%ults( #n interaction was "oun% between age an% unem$loyment& suggesting that social $roblems %ecrease more substantially "or chil%ren as unem$loyment increases( #n interaction between age an% neighborhoo% e%ucation shows that neighborhoo% e%ucation levels are more $rotective "or chil%ren than "or a%ults( .ith regar% to se)& males showe% higher levels o" aggression& while "emales showe% higher levels o" somatic com$laints(8 4Santiago 2235 ,his $assage goes into great %etail ;ust how %i""erent "actors "rom socioeconomic

Gongaware 9 status %i""er "rom one another in terms o" stress( Basically to sum the $assage u$ it shows that age was lin'e% to %i""erent ty$es o" stress "or e)am$le ol%er a%ults ha% more thought $roblems while chil%ren containe% more %e$ression an% an)iety& it also shows that age is lin'e% to unem$loyment an% that e%ucation remaine% the same across chil%ren an% a%ults meaning that the literacy rate is relatively low( ,he $assage also goes into how stress %i""ers between se) showing that males showe% more aggression when overwhelme% by stress whereas women showe% more com$laints about bo%y $ains such as nec' $ains& bac' $ains& sore muscles& an% so on( Since "actors can contribute to stress levels which can $ut a $erson+s health at ris' "or chronic %iseases& how can $eo$le co$e with stress an% what treatments are out there to hel$ lessen their stress levels( *ow is stress treate% 4co$ing mechanisms& counseling& thera$y& "acilities& etc(5/ ,here are many co$ing strategies available to $eo$le across the country( ,he best co$ing mechanism is to naturally co$e with the stress aroun% you using techni-ues that can be %one at a $erson+s own time an% $lace( Some e)am$les o" natural co$ing techni-ues are breathing techni-ues& e)ercise can hel$ lessen stress& yoga& eating healthy snac's li'e "ruits an% yogurt& tal'ing it out with a "rien% or "amily member& things li'e this can re%uce stress levels within a $erson naturally an% e""ectively( 6Cco$ing strategies can be either a%a$tive or mala%a$tive(8 4Everly 335 *ere the statement suggests that there are two ty$es o" co$ing strategies( #%a$tive is the ability to co$e using strategies li'e e)ercising an% $ro$er %iet which a $erson has the ability to %o in or%er to co$e with stress naturally whereas mala%a$tive is the ability to co$e in a negative way which can harm a $erson+s health which inclu%es substance abuse in or%er to co$e with stress( Many $eo$le have a %i""erent view o" co$ing& "or e)am$le some $eo$le turn to

Gongaware : e)ercise to relieve stress or call a "rien% o" "amily member to tal' about what ha$$ene% at wor' or the test they have to stu%y "or( =thers sim$ly turn to alcohol to relieve their stress since it is very accessible an% easier in a sense that they can ;ust %rin' the stress away or sometimes "in% it easier to "orget the %ay ;ust by %rin'ing an% %rin'ing which can lea% to serious $roblems in relation to their health( Stu%ents at universities are e)$ose% to a tremen%ous amount o" stress in their learning environment> in an interview via email to this author con%ucte% with a han%"ul o" stu%ents in the health sciences %e$artment( *ere are some o" their res$onses: 62 wor' 3 ;obs& ta'e care o" a D year ol% an% 2 live ;ust outsi%e El !aso& ,e)as( =" course 2 am stresse% all the time( 2 have a "amily to "ee% an% an e%ucation to $ursue( 2 want to -uit sometimes because the stress can really get to me& but 2 always "in% a way to manage my stress( Be"ore 2 woul% %rin' alcohol to get through the %ay& but now 2 have %ecrease% my alcohol inta'e an% have signe% u$ "or 'ic'bo)ing classes here at G,E! to hel$ with my stress "rom home& wor' an% school an% it ma'es me "eel an% loo' greatH8 4Garcia5 #nother res$onse "rom the email interview: 62 woul% always turn to "oo% to hel$ with my stress( 2 was stresse% all the time when 2 was in the nursing $rogram here at G,E!( =nce 2 ha% my son& the stress starte% $iling on( .ith wor'& school an% a "amily to ta'e care o" 2 never "oun% time "or me( 2 "elt li'e 2 was constantly being $ulle% "rom one thing to another( 2 "inally "oun% a way to manage my time an% starte% going to the gym in my "ree time( 2 have also change% my %iet an% 2 e)ercise 3 times a wee' an% it+s li'e the stress ;ust melts away(8 4=wens5 ,hese are ;ust two accounts that are great e)am$les o" how they turne% "rom unhealthy habits to better an% healthier habits to manage their stress( Each account %emonstrate% how e)ercise an% healthier "oo% choices hel$e% them with their stress versus unhealthy choices( ,he two accounts mentione% above were great e)am$les o" ;ust how changing their behaviors hel$e% them manage their stress "rom ;uggling "amily li"e& wor'& an% school

Gongaware 1 every %ay( ?ertainly the a%a$tive co$ing seems to be the best co$ing strategy& however can co$ing strategies be bene"icial "or everyone/ 6Cone co$ing res$onse may be hel$"ul in one %omain but harm"ul in another( <or e)am$le& a $erson with mental illness may use the co$ing mechanism o" ingrou$ com$arisons to stabiliBe sel"7esteem( *owever& lac' o" outgrou$ com$arisons may un%ermine motivation an% learning o$$ortunities& resulting in lower aca%emic& vocational or social $er"ormance in the long run(8 4RIsch $ara @5 *ere it e)$lains that co$ing strategies can be bene"icial in one way but can be harm"ul in a %i""erent way( # better e)am$le to e)$lain this is to say that a $erson is an alcoholic an% atten%s an alcoholic anonymous grou$ to hel$ him0her with their alcohol $roblems( ,he $erson may "in% su$$ort an% motivation to -uit %rin'ing but once they ste$ outsi%e the grou$ an% bac' to their homes& they may not "in% the su$$ort an% motivation there an% so they rela$se bac' to alcohol to su$$ress whatever it is that may be troubling them( ,his is ;ust one e)am$le showing that co$ing mechanisms may be great in one way but in other ways it may not be& however in this case there are hotlines "or $artici$ants in alcohol -uit grou$s that can hel$ $eo$le "rom rela$sing but in the case o" stress there really is not a hotline available to $eo$le that see' hel$ or a%vice to hel$ them relieve stress( 2s there a %i""erence in co$ing "rom stress between male an% "emales/ 6Stu%ies consistently show that men an% women a%o$t co$ing tactics that are consistent with gen%er7 ty$e% e)$ectations regar%ing emotional %is$lay 4see Bro%y J *all& 2 1 "or review5( Men are more li'ely than women to use $roblem7"ocuse% co$ing& control their emotions& acce$t the stress7 in%ucing $roblem& not thin' about the situation& or show emotional inhibition or a 6bottling u$8 o" emotions 4Lawrence& #sh"or%& J 1ent& 2 D > ,hoits& 1::@ 5( .omen& by

contrast& ten% to see' social su$$ort& an% use emotion7"ocuse% co$ing tactics such as %istracting themselves& releasing their "eelings 4e(g(& crying or tal'ing it out5& or turning to $rayer 4Lawrence

Gongaware 11 et al(& 2 D> ,hoits& 1::@ 5(8 4?arr 3D:5 *ere the $assage %emonstrates that men an% women

%i""er in co$ing strategies( Men ten% to su$$ress their "eelings an% ten% to gravitate more to acce$ting that they have $roblem that is relate% to stress( .hereas women ten% to want to tal' out the situation an% e)$ress themselves in or%er to co$e( ,here seems to be a barrier between the two as "ar as co$ing with stress& there may be a $ossibility that stigma coul% be involve% with the men su$$ressing their "eelings( 2n conclusion& stress can either be goo% or ba% "or a $erson( #llowing stress to $ile on "or a long $erio% o" time can lea% to chronic %iseases( Stress shoul% be %ealt with as soon as $ossible in or%er to $revent health ris's "rom occurring( Gsing the $ro$er co$ing mechanism is vital to $reventing stress "rom buil%ing u$ over time( Stress can be manage% sim$ly by $ro$er nutrition an% mo%erate e)ercise> however other co$ing mechanisms li'e alcohol an% smo'ing can lea% to severe health ris's which can lea% to other chronic %iseases( ,here"ore managing stress the $ro$er way can lea% to a ha$$ier an% healthier li"estyle an% can be a great way to $revent "uture ris' o" chronic %iseases(

Gongaware 12

Re"erences:
Carr, Deborah, and Debra Umberson. " The Social Psychology of Stress, Health, and Co ing." Handboo!s of Sociology and Social "esearch # $#%&3'( )*+,)-.. /eb. #& 0ct. #%&3. Dias, 1arcio Pagnin, Daniel Pagnin, 2al3ria de 4ueiro5"eis, "egina 6ucia "ibeiro 0le7, 8eni. "9ffects 0f 9lectroacu uncture 0n Stress,"elated Sym toms :n 1edical Students( ; "andomised Controlled Pilot Study." Acupuncture In Medicine 3%.# $#%&#'( -<,<+. ;lt Health/atch. /eb. * =o>. #%&3. 9>erly ?r., @eorge S., and ?effrey 1. 6ating. A; Clinical @uide to the Treatment of the Human Stress "es onse.B New York: Springer Science+ Business Media , #%&3.Print. Haraldsson, C, et al. "The Self,"e orted Health Condition 0f /omen ;fter Their Partici ation :n ; Stress 1anagement Programme( ; Pilot Study." Health D Social Care :n The Community &3.3 $#%%+'( ##),#3%. C:=;H6. /eb. * =o>. #%&3. 1c9Een, 8ruce S." 1c9Een, 8ruce S. " Central effects of stress hormones in health and disease( understanding the rotecti>e and damaging effects of stress

Gongaware 13
and stress mediators " Eur J Pharmaco . +-3 #.3 $#%%-'( &.)F&-+. /eb. * =o>. #%&3. 1c9Een, 8ruce S." Protecti>e and damaging effects of stress mediators( central role of the brain" !ia ogues " in Neurosci. -.) $#%%*'( 3*.F3-&. /eb. * =o>. #%&3. 1c9Een, 8ruce S., and Peter ?. @ianaros. ACentral role of the brain in stress and ada tation( 6in!s to socioeconomic status, health, and disease.B PM": Anna s o# the New York Academ$ o# Sciences + 1ay. #%&%( &<%,###. =:H Public ;ccess. /eb. #% 0ct. #%&3. "Gsch, =icolas, Patric! /. Corrigan, and Caren 8atia. A; Stress,Co ing 1odel of 1ental :llness Stigma( ::. 9motional Stress "es onses, Co ing 8eha>ior and 0utcome.B PM": Schi%ophrenia &esearch &&% #3 Feb. #%%<( *+,.&. =:H Public ;ccess. /eb. #3 0ct. #%&3. Santiago, Catherine DeCarlo, 1artha 9. /adsEorth, ?essica Stum . ASocioeconomic status, neighborhood disad>antage, and o>erty,related stress( Pros ecti>e effects on sychological syndromes among di>erse loE,income families.B E se'ier: Journa o# Economic Ps$cho og$ 3# $#%&&'( #&-F#3%. /eb. #& 0ct. #%&3

Gongaware 13
Hada>, "a7, Cumar, et al. "9fficacy 0f ; Short,Term Hoga,8ased 6ifestyle :nter>ention :n "educing Stress ;nd :nflammation( Preliminary "esults." ?ournal 0f ;lternati>e D Com lementary 1edicine &-.. $#%&#'( **#,**.. C:=;H6. /eb. * =o>. #%&3.