Question

Chapter 14 Health and Stress – Case Study (14 marks)

Rationale: Given the role that stress plays in our lives, students are well-served by considering the symptoms of stress and the differences between adaptive and maladaptive coping.

Instructions: Read the Stress Case Studies below and answer the questions that follow.

Stress Case Studies

Read the following case studies, which detail typical daily routines.

Case study 2

Mel, 46, is a Business Analyst. She, her husband and three children aged 8, 12, and 16, live in Oshawa and she commutes to Toronto. This is her typical day:

6.00am: Alarm goes and I have an hour to wake up and get ready. I make a packed lunch and my husband drives me to the station. The kids are still in bed.

6.59am: Catch the train. Usually see friends on the train and chat. The train is supposed to get in at 8.30am allowing me half an hour to start work at 9.00am but the trains are so unreliable that I'm late about three times a week. I enjoy most parts of my job but I get very nervous about giving presentations. There is also the constant pressure of finding my next contract.

6.00pm: Leave work and catch the 6.30pm train. I try to finish any bits of work on the train.

8.10pm: I'm home, if the train is on time. My husband has made dinner and the whole family eats together. The kids then go on the Internet and do homework and I'm not usually energetic enough for much more than watching TV by this point. Commuting is the main stressor in my life and late trains make me furious. I'm aware that my husband has to do most of the housework and looking after the children - there is always football training and music lessons to taxi them around to. He also works part time, so I do feel guilty. Fortunately we have a very strong relationship and I try to spend as much time as possible with my family on weekends.

Answer the questions below:

3.Psychological responses - Identify TWO psychological responses to stressors

4.Physiological responses - Identify TWO physiological responses to stressors

Answer 1

Answer 1- Two psychological responses to stressors (things that cause the stress) are- Stressor in the case study is- Late trains/commute- Mel gets her work done on her way and chats with friends. She also sets off from home in time so that she has about half an hour when she reaches the workplace. She also maintains a good relationship with a supporting husband.

Answer 2- Two physiological responses are- Watching TV when exhausted, instead of doing chores. Spending time with family on the weekends.