3.1. Compare and contrast models of stress

This guide will help you answer 3.1. Compare and contrast models of stress.

Stress is a common experience that can affect people’s physical and mental well-being. Over the years, researchers have developed different models to explain how stress affects individuals and how it can be managed.

Understanding these models is essential for health and social care workers, as stress can significantly impact the people they support. In this guide, we will compare and contrast some of the main models of stress, including the General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS), the Transactional Model of Stress, and the Diathesis-Stress Model.

General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)

The General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) was developed by Hans Selye in the 1930s. It is one of the earliest theories explaining the body’s physiological response to stress. According to Selye, stress triggers a predictable three-stage process:

1. Alarm Stage: This is the body’s initial response to a stressor. It activates the “fight or flight” response through the release of stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. Physical reactions include increased heart rate, rapid breathing, and heightened alertness.
2. Resistance Stage: If the stressor continues, the body enters this stage. It attempts to adapt to the challenge by maintaining a higher level of physiological arousal. Resources like energy are focused on the stressor, while other bodily functions, such as digestion or immunity, may be suppressed.
3. Exhaustion Stage: Prolonged or chronic stress can deplete the body’s resources, leading to the exhaustion stage. This can cause physical and mental health issues, such as fatigue, weakened immunity, or even long-term conditions like cardiovascular disease.

Strengths of GAS:

• It highlights the physical responses to stress, making it easier to understand how chronic stress can lead to health problems.
• The model has influenced research in biology, psychology, and health care.

Limitations of GAS:

• It does not account for individual differences in how people perceive and respond to stress.
• It focuses primarily on the physiological side of stress and overlooks emotional and cognitive responses.

Transactional Model of Stress

The Transactional Model of Stress was proposed by Richard Lazarus and Susan Folkman in the 1980s. It takes a psychological approach, emphasising the interaction between the individual and their environment. According to this model, stress is not caused solely by the stressor itself but also by how the person evaluates it.

The model has two key processes:

1. Primary Appraisal: The individual assesses whether the situation is a threat, challenge, or harmless. For example, losing a job may be a threat for someone with limited savings, while another person might see it as a chance for a fresh start.
2. Secondary Appraisal: The individual evaluates their ability to cope with the threat or challenge. This involves assessing available resources, such as skills, social support, or time.

Stress is experienced when a person perceives that the demands of the situation exceed their resources to cope.

Strengths of the Transactional Model:

• It considers the subjective experience of stress, recognising that people react differently to the same situation.
• It integrates cognitive processes, such as perception and coping strategies.

Limitations of the Transactional Model:

• It can be criticised for being too focused on subjective experiences, making it harder to study objectively.
• The model places heavy emphasis on the individual’s perception, potentially overlooking external factors like systemic barriers.

Diathesis-Stress Model

The Diathesis-Stress Model explains how biological vulnerability (diathesis) and environmental stressors interact to trigger mental health conditions or other problems. The core idea is that someone with a genetic or biological predisposition (e.g., a family history of depression) may develop a condition when exposed to significant stress.

Key points of the model:

• The diathesis can be biological, such as a genetic mutation, or psychological, like a tendency towards negative thinking.
• Stress can come from various sources, including trauma, work pressures, or relationship issues.
• When both vulnerability and stress are present, the likelihood of developing a problem increases.

Strengths of the Diathesis-Stress Model:

• It provides a detailed explanation of how mental health conditions develop.
• It highlights the interaction between genetic, biological, and environmental factors.

Limitations of the Diathesis-Stress Model:

• It does not fully explain why some people with vulnerabilities never develop problems, even under stress.
• It does not explore coping mechanisms or resilience factors.

Similarities Between the Models

Despite their differences, these models share some common ground. For instance:

• All three recognise the importance of stress in affecting physical or mental health.
• Each model suggests that stress results from an interaction between an individual and their environment.
• They highlight the role of external factors, such as work pressures or trauma, in causing stress.

Differences Between the Models

While the models overlap in some areas, they approach stress from distinct perspectives:

• Physiological vs Psychological: The GAS model focuses on physical responses to stress, while the Transactional Model emphasises mental processes, such as perception and coping. The Diathesis-Stress Model takes a combination approach.
• Role of the Individual: The Transactional Model gives much more weight to how individuals perceive and assess stress, which is absent in the GAS model.
• Vulnerabilities: The Diathesis-Stress Model stands out by highlighting the role of predispositions and genetic factors in determining how stress affects someone.

Practical Applications in Health and Social Care

Understanding these models can help health and social care workers address stress in the people they support. For example:

• The GAS model can help identify early warning signs of burnout or chronic stress, such as fatigue or illness.
• The Transactional Model can guide interventions focused on improving coping strategies, such as problem-solving or mindfulness techniques.
• The Diathesis-Stress Model can inform preventative measures, especially for individuals with known vulnerabilities, like those with a family history of mental illness.

Final Thoughts

Each model gives unique insights into how stress functions. By comparing and contrasting them, health and social care workers can take a more comprehensive approach to understanding and managing stress. This can lead to more tailored support for individuals, taking into account their physical reactions, perception of stress, and any underlying vulnerabilities.