Factors Affecting Stress & Adaptation

Factors Affecting Stress & Adaptation

1. sources of stress – developmental, situational

2. types of stressors experienced – mind & body, physiologic, psychosocial

3. personal factors

Categories of Stress

1. developmental stress – occurs when person progresses through stages of growth & development

   A. infant – learning to trust

   B. toddler – toilet training

   C. school age – socializing, peer influence

   D. adolescent – independence

   E. middle age – accept physical signs of aging

   F. old age- adjust to death of spouse

2. situational stress – do not occur in predictable patterns, occur at different times: illness, marriage, divorce, new job, role change

Types of Stressors

1. physiologic – chemical agents, physical agents, infectious agents, nutritional imbalances, hypoxia, genetic or immune disorders

2. psychosocial – includes real and perceived threats

Stressful Activities in Nursing Profession

1. assuming responsibilities for which one is not prepared

2. working with unqualified personnel

3. working in environment in which supervisors are not supportive

4. caring for patient in cardiac arrest or dying person, emergency room, oncology

5. experiencing conflict with peers

   *know own limits, slow focused breathing, time-management skills

   burnout: inability to deal with physical emotional stress