Suicide and attempted suicide: their relation to subjective social stress indicators

We investigated the relationship between the subjective perception of external stress and suicidal behavior, using a stress model which indicated that the probability of suicide and attempted suicide, as a reaction to stress, increases when social support systems fail or malfunction. We conceived the subjective perception of social stress as expressions of worry or dissatisfaction regarding cardinal life domains such as economic, security, or political situations. We defined support systems in terms of national solidarity expressed as positive (or improved) attitudes regarding the relations between various segments of the population, and we derived the data regarding the subjective indicators from continuing surveys of representative samples of urban Israeli population during the years 1967 through 1979. Eight stress indicators and three solidarity indicators were included, and our findings generally supported the theoretical model. However, the findings regarding men conformed best in relation to suicide, whereas those regarding women confirmed the theoretical model mainly in relation to attempted suicide. Contrary to the model, female suicide rates decreased in times of stress. Feelings of social solidarity in the population were found to reduce suicidal behavior of both men and women.     

Violent crime and its relation to subjective social stress indicators: The case of Israel

Although the effects of objective social stressors on violent crime have been studied extensively, the effects of subjective perception of stress factors have been neglected in criminological research. The present study investigates the relationship between the subjective perception of external stress factors and homicide and robbery rates, within a stress model according to which the probability of violence as a reaction to stress will increase when social support systems fail or malfunction. In the present context, subjective perception of social stress is conceived as expressions of worry or dissatisfaction regarding cardinal life domains such as the economic, security, or political situation. Support systems are defined here in terms of national solidarity, which is expressed as positive (or improved) attitudes regarding the relations between various segments of the population. The data regarding the subjective indicators were derived from continuing surveys of representative samples of urban Israeli population during the years 1967–1985. Fourteen stress indicators and two solidarity indicators were included. The periods covered range from less than 4 years to more than 16 years. The theoretical model was generally supported by the findings: both homicide and robbery were found to be related to most of the stress indicators as predicted. The two solidarity indicators were in line with the model in respect of robbery but not homicide. The consistency of the findings with the model is particularly noteworthy in view of the great variation among the independent variables regarding the number of observations and periods of time covered. Some theoretical implications of the findings are discussed, and suggestions are made for future research.     

Appraisals of Fear, Helplessness, and Perceived Life-Threat During Emergent Cardiac Surgery: Relationship to Pre-surgical Depression, Trauma History, and Posttraumatic Stress

Depression and posttraumatic stress (PTS) have been linked to medical/psychological outcomes following coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. This study assessed pre-surgical trauma history, PTS, and depression; and peri-surgical appraisals of fear, helplessness, and perceived life-threat among 110 patients. All CABGs were emergent, rather than elective, surgeries. In hierarchical multiple regressions, total severity score for pre-surgical PTS predicted fear regarding the cardiac event and the CABG, and perceived life-threat regarding the cardiac event and the CABG. Pre-surgical depression predicted perceived helplessness regarding the cardiac event and the CABG, and contributed to prediction of perceived life-threat. Trauma history contributed to prediction of fear and perceived helplessness regarding surgery (but not regarding the cardiac event necessitating surgery). When posttraumatic stress disorder diagnosis (PTSD) was entered, rather than total severity of PTS, PTSD did not predict any appraisals, and depression showed stronger prediction of fear, helplessness, and perceived life-threat than did PTSD.     

Subjective social stress indicators and the level of reported psychopathology: The case of Israel

This study investigated (on the aggregate level) the relationship between the level of psychopathology in society (monthly rates of inpatient psychiatric admissions) and the population's perception of stress (expressions of worry or dissatisfaction regarding the general, economic, and security situation) and social support (national solidarity expressed as positive attitudes regarding relations between various segments of the population). The subjective indicators were derived from continuing surveys of representative samples of urban Israeli population during 1967-1979. Included were 12 stress indicators and 3 solidarity indicators. As predicted, general stress was positively related to psychiatric admissions, while security stress (due to its cohesive effect) and social solidarity were negatively related to these admissions. Contrary to prediction, economic subjective stress was negatively related to psychiatric admissions. Theoretical implications of the findings are discussed.     

Training for vigilance: The effect of knowledge of results format and dispositional optimism and pessimism on performance and stress

This study investigated the impact of knowledge of results (KR) format on the performance and stress associated with a vigilance task. Also examined was the effect of the interaction of KR‐format (Hit‐KR, False Alarm‐KR, Miss‐KR, and a composite of all three formats) with dispositional optimism and pessimism on performance outcome and reported stress state. Hypotheses based upon a theory of feedback intervention were tested. KR regarding correct detections and the composite‐KR (KR regarding correct detections, false alarms, and missed signals) enhanced perceptual sensitivity. However, False Alarm‐KR and Miss‐KR did not. Contrary to expectations based on the theory, performance was unrelated to the traits across all KR conditions. However, the effects of KR‐format on self‐reports of stress depended on the individual's level of pessimism and optimism. In addition, KR format and personality affected the multiple dimensions of stress state in different ways.     

Stress scolaire des collégiens et des lycéens : effet de l’appréhension de l’orientation et de la pression de la note

The aim of this study was to test the predictive effect of two variables related to meritocratic ideology and possibly associated with academic stress: academic orientation related worries and apprehension of school evaluation. Differential effects of these variables on stress were also investigated regarding gender and school (middle-high and high schools). Six hundred and nine secondary students completed a questionnaire. Results show that emotional worries regarding academic orientation and apprehension of school evaluation are significant predictors of academic stress. Results reveal differential effects for middle-high school and high school students. In practice, grading and methods used to this aim should be carefully considered as well as the support offered regarding orientation project of middle-high school students especially.     

Volcanic Risk Exposure,Feelings of Insecurity,Stress, and Coping Strategies in México1

The present study investigates stress levels, feelings of insecurity, and coping strategies used by people living near an active volcano in México (Popocatépetl). The sample was composed of 198 adults, who were divided into 4 groups according to the risk zones in which they live. They answered a questionnaire addressing feelings of insecurity regarding volcanic risk, a coping strategies scale, and a stress scale. A significant interaction between active and passive coping strategies and risk zone was found. Higher levels of insecurity feelings regarding volcanic risk were associated with the highest stress levels evoked by facing a volcanic risk. A possible application of this study is at the community‐service level concerning risk prevention.     

Work and Family: Satisfaction,Stress, and Spousal Support

Married veterinarians (N = 242) provided information regarding work satisfaction, work‐related stress, marital‐family stress, and spousal support for career. Female veterinarians reported significantly greater effect of marital/family stress on career and less perceived spousal support for career than did their male counterparts. Areas of greatest work dissatisfaction for both genders were income and time required at work. No differences emerged between men and women on various measures of work satisfaction. In addition, no difference was found between the genders in the effect of work‐related stress on career.     

Effects of laboratory-induced controllable and uncontrollable stress on Rorschach variables m and Y.

The research literature regarding stress and the Rorschach has frequently produced contradictory results. A possible explanation for the lack of consensus may be that past research has failed to consider the nature of the stressor. A potentially important dimension is whether the stressor is perceived as controllable or uncontrollable, particularly because these two types of stressors invoke distinctive sets of biobehavioral reactions. We examined the effects of experimentally induced uncontrollable and controllable stress on m and Y Rorschach responses. Uncontrollable laboratory stress was associated with an increase in both m and Y variants, whereas controllable laboratory stress was associated with an increase only in m. Potential implications and directions for future research are discussed.     

Perinatal Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Implications for Occupational Therapy in Early Intervention Practice

The purpose of this article is to present literature regarding perinatal posttraumatic stress disorder and to describe the implications of research findings for occupational therapy screening and treatment in early intervention practice. Changes in legislation regarding early intervention practice and family centered care are presented as a rationale for including maternal mental health screening as a standard practice in the field of early intervention. A case study illustrates symptoms of perinatal posttraumatic stress disorder and the effect on maternal-infant co-occupational engagement. The Model of Human Occupation is used to guide clinical reasoning about potential occupational therapy interventions.     

Parenting Beliefs, Parental Stress, and Social Support Relationships

The present study built on prior research by examining the relationship of parental stress and social support to parenting beliefs and behaviors. A sample of 87 parents provided their views concerning the importance of parenting characteristics as well as their level of parental stress and perceived social support. These parents completed the Parent Behavior Importance Questionnaire-Revised, as well as the Parenting Stress Index-Short Form, and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. Results reveal that, in general, less parenting stress was related to more positive parenting perceptions and more parenting stress was related to less positive parenting perceptions. Perceived social support was not found to moderate the relationship between parenting stress and parenting perceptions. This study extends prior research regarding parenting in relation to stress by adding the dimension of social support. There are substantial implications for parent education, professional practice, and research.     

Gay Identity and the Experience of Gay Social Stress1

The hypothesis that identity commitment affects the experience of identity-related stressors brings identity theory and social stress research together. Research findings are not yet conclusive regarding this hypothesis. Part of the contradictory research findings stem from inadequate knowledge about the causal direction of the relationship between depression and commitment. The authors analyze if identity commitment interacts with social stress in its impact on mental well-being. Only chronic stress has a moderate impact on the experience of depression. Commitment toward the gay identity did not buffer the experience of stress. The authors also use a nonrecursive model to establish the causal relationship between depression and commitment. They show that it is depression that lowers identity commitment. It is concluded that identity commitment cannot act as a buffer against identity-related stress because commitment is affected by the resulting distress.     

Self-control mediates the link between perfectionism and stress

The relationship between perfectionism and stress is well-established. Recent research has focused on identifying the mediators of this link. Starting from a multidimensional perspective on perfectionism, we investigated the role of self-control and found it to be a mediator between perfectionism and stress in a sample of university freshmen. Further, perfectionistic concerns (i.e., discrepancy; Slaney et al. 2001) were positively correlated with stress, whereas perfectionistic strivings (i.e., high standards; Slaney et al. 2001) were negatively correlated with stress. Practical implications regarding overcoming maladaptive perfectionism are discussed.     

A longitudinal examination of stress generation in depressive and anxiety disorders

The current study compared two competing theories of the stress generation model of depression (stress causation vs. stress continuation) using interview-based measures of episodic life stress, as well as interpersonal and noninterpersonal chronic life stress. We also expanded on past research by examining anxiety disorders as well as depressive disorders. In addition, we examined the role of neuroticism and extraversion in these relationships. Participants were 627 adolescents enrolled in a two-site, longitudinal study of risk factors for depressive and anxiety disorders. Baseline and follow-up assessments were approximately one year apart. Results supported the stress causation theory for episodic stress generation for anxiety disorders, with neuroticism partially accounting for this relationship. The stress causation theory was also supported for depression, but only for more moderate to severe stressors; neuroticism partially accounted for this relationship as well. Finally, we found evidence for interpersonal and noninterpersonal chronic life stress continuation in both depressive and anxiety disorders. The present findings have implications regarding the specificity of the stress generation model to depressive disorders, as well as variables involved in the stress generation process.     

自闭症和智力障碍儿童行为问题与父母焦虑的关系:育儿压力的中介作用与领悟社会支持的调节作用

为探讨自闭症和智力障碍儿童行为问题与其父母焦虑的关系及其内在作用机制,研究采用问卷法对1023名自闭症和智力障碍儿童父母进行调查。结果表明：(1)自闭症和智力障碍儿童行为问题对父母焦虑具有正向预测作用;(2)育儿压力在儿童行为问题和父母焦虑间起中介作用;(3)儿童行为问题与育儿压力的关系受到领悟社会支持水平的调节,调节作用只在智力障碍儿童父母群体中显著。研究结果有助于揭示自闭症和智力障碍儿童行为问题对父母焦虑的影响及作用机制,对改善自闭症和智力障碍儿童父母育儿压力与焦虑具有一定指导意义。     

Perceived level of stress among university undergraduate students in Edmonton, Canada.

A sample of 457 (177 men, 280 women) undergraduate students were surveyed regarding perceived level of stress. Women were more likely than men to report an unacceptable stress level. To reduce stress, women were more likely to indicate a need to limit commitments, exercise, and worry less. Reasons for not reducing stress were lack of time and lack of self-discipline, both of which were reported significantly more often by women. The present data suggest health education interventions are needed to assist students in coping with the stress they experience.     

Relationships between psychological stress, coping and disordered eating: A review

Abstract Objective: Psychological stress and inadequate coping skills have been hypothesized to play important roles in the etiology of disordered eating. This paper reviews the empirical evidence which has emerged regarding the proposed relationships among stress. coping skills and various forms of disordered eating. Method: A search of psychological and medical databases was conducted to identify studies examining life events, and other types of psychological stress and coping strategies, in relation to the onset of disordered eating. Results: Despite methodological limitations such as the use of non-representative samples and retrospective methodologies, evidence of relationships between stress. coping and disordered eating was obtained in the majority of studies reviewed. Discussion: The implications of these findings am discussed and suggestions for future research, including the utilization of longitudinal. prospective studies, am presented.     

Stress, intrusive imagery, and chronic distress

Discusses the nature of stress in the context of problems with its definition and sources of confusion regarding its usefulness and specificity. Stress can be defined as a negative emotional experience accompanied by predictable biochemical, physiological, and behavioral changes that are directed toward adaptation either by manipulating the situation to alter the stressor or by accommodating its effects. Chronic stress is more complex than most definitions suggest and is clearly not limited to situations in which stressors persist for long periods of time. Responses may habituate before a stressor disappears or may persist long beyond the physical presence of the stressor. This latter case, in which chronic stress and associated biobehavioral changes outlast their original cause, is considered in light of research at Three Mile Island and among Vietnam veterans. The role of intrusive images of the stressor or uncontrollable thoughts about it in maintaining stress is explored.     

Hierarchical, job content, and double plateaus: A mixed-method study of stress, depression and coping responses

Hierarchically, job content, and double plateaued employees from a variety of industries were surveyed regarding their experiences. Plateau-specific stress was higher than the stress experienced by the general population. Plateaued employees also reported more depression than the general population. Double plateaued employees reported higher depression than hierarchically plateaued employees. Content analysis revealed 27 distinct coping strategies reported by employees, representing 7 coping meta-themes. The most frequently occurring meta-themes were Discuss Problem, Job Withdrawal, and Mental Coping. Hierarchically plateaued employees reported slightly greater use of Mental Coping strategies than job content and double plateaued employees.     

Batting on a sticky wicket: Identifying sources of stress and associated coping strategies for professional cricket batsmen

ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to examine the sources of stress and associated coping strategies as reported by professional cricket batters.MethodsNine male professional cricket batters completed a semi-structured interview to examine their stress sources and associated coping strategies. A combination of inductive and deductive content analyses provided a detailed data analysis for the two areas of investigation.ResultsThe interviews revealed a total of 25 general dimensions for the sources of stress and 23 general dimensions for the coping strategies.ConclusionsDespite the overlap between stress sources and coping strategies to previous literature, practitioners need to be aware of the specific demands of the sport in which they are working. Future research suggestions are made regarding the study of stress and coping in sport.