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CH 1 Mental Health
CH 1 Mental Health
Introduction
Core concepts
Adaptation
Maladaptation
Stressor
Adaptive response
o Behavior that maintains the integrity of the individual
o Viewed as positive and is correlated with a healthy response
• Maladaptive response
• When behavior disrupts the integrity of the individual
• Considered to be negative or unhealthy
• Stressor
Stage of exhaustion
• The body responds to prolonged exposure to a stressor.
• Adaptive energy is depleted.
• Diseases of adaptation may occur.
A 25-year-old man barely avoids a motor vehicle accident. His heart is pounding, his palms are
sweaty, and his respirations are increased. This is an example of which stage of the general
adaptation syndrome?
o Correct answer: A
Stress as an Environmental Event
• Core Concepts
Adaptation
• Is said to occur when an individual’s physical or behavioral response to any
change in his or her internal or external environment results in preservation
of individual integrity or timely return to equilibrium
• I killed the spider I took the shower and I fought and I am fine now …
my physical response brought me back to my baseline
Stress is measured by the Miller and Rahe Recent Life Changes Questionnaire (RLCQ).
A high score on the RLCQ places the individual at greater susceptibility to physical or
psychological illness.
Stress as a Transaction
• Stress as a transaction between the individual and the environment
• This concept emphasizes the relationship between internal variables
(within an individual) and external variables (within the environment).
• Parallels the modern concept of disease etiology.
• Precipitating event
• A stimulus arising from the internal or external environment and perceived
by the individual in a specific manner
• Cognitive appraisal is an individual’s evaluation of the personal significance of the
event or occurrence.
• The cognitive response consists of a primary appraisal and a secondary appraisal.
Individual’s perception of the event
• Primary appraisal
• Three types of primary appraisal
• Irrelevant
• Benign-positive
• Stress appraisals include harm/loss, threat, and challenge.
• Secondary appraisal
• An assessment of skills, resources, and knowledge that the person
possesses to deal with the situation
• The individual evaluates by considering the following:
• Which coping strategies are available to me?
• Will the option I choose be effective in this situation?
• Do I have the ability to use that strategy in an effective manner?
1. A student with an A average is to take an exam. The student is relaxed and says the exam
is not of concern because a failing grade would not affect successful completion of the
course. What has contributed to this student’s adaptation response to stress?
The cognitive appraisal is the individual’s evaluation of the personal significance of an event or
occurrence.
The test, the precipitating event, does not generate increased stress because of the student’s
perception or cognitive appraisal of
the event. Correct answer: C
Predisposing factors
• Strongly influence whether the response is adaptive or maladaptive
• Types of predisposing factors
o Genetic influences
o Past experiences
o Existing conditions
Stress Management
• Maladaptation
o Occurs when an individual’s physical or behavioral response to any
change in his or her internal or external environment results in
disruption of individual integrity or in persistent disequilibrium
o (negative , loss job , just go and end up drink )