PSYCHOSOCIAL HEALTH

Chapter 2

Introduction
All

of us go through times of difficulty and times of joy.

Times of difficulty can sap energy, drain emotions, and break the spirit Times of joy lift our spirit, boost self-esteem, and raise the awareness of our capabilities (self-efficacy)

Defining Psychosocial Health

Includes

4 of the 6 Dimensions of Health

Mental (Intellectual)
Thinking

Emotional
Feeling

Social
Relating

Spiritual
Being

Defining Psychosocial Health

Elements shared by psychosocially healthy people:

Feel good about themselves Feel comfortable with other people Control tension and anxiety Able to meet the demands of life Curb hate and guilt Maintain a positive outlook Enrich the lives of others Cherish the things that make them smile Value diversity Appreciate and respect nature

Defining Mental Health

Mental

Health

The thinking' part of psychosocial health

Includes

values, attitudes, and beliefs Ability to reason, interpret, and remember Ability to sense, perceive, evaluate what is happening, and to solve problems

Healthy vs. Unhealthy

Healthy

people respond positively Unhealthy people respond irrationally

Defining Emotional Health

Emotional Health
The feeling part of psychosocial health

Includes love, hate, anxiety, and joy An interplay of 4 components:

1. 2. 3. 4. Physiological arousal Feelings Cognitive processes Behavioral reactions

Defining Emotional Health

From R. Lazarus 4 basic types of emotions:

1. 2.

3.
4.

Emotions resulting from harm, loss, or threats Emotions resulting from benefits Borderline emotions such as hope and compassion Complex emotions such as grief, disappointment, bewilderment, and curiosity

Defining Emotional Health

Emotionally

healthy people respond appropriately to upsetting events Emotionally unhealthy people are overwhelmed and overpowered by upsetting events and feelings Emotional health affects social health:
Warm, welcoming vs. hostile and moody

Defining Social Health

Social Health
The relating part of psychosocial health
Interaction with others Ability to adapt to social situations Ability to listen, express opinions and beliefs, form relationships, and act responsibly

2 key aspects are important:

1. Social bonds 2. Social supports

Defining Social Health

Social bonds
Reflect the general degree and nature of interpersonal contacts and interactions

Serve 6 major functions:

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Intimacy Group integration Opportunity to give or receive nurturance Reassurance of ones worth Assistance and guidance Advice

Defining Social Health

Social

supports

Structural and functional aspects of social interactions Refer to relationships that bring positive benefits to individuals Can be
Expressive

emotional support and encouragement Structural housing or money

Defining Spiritual Health

Spiritual
A

Health

The being part of psychosocial health

difficult-to-describe need for meaning and purpose in life (spirituality)
Can involve music, nature, one or more gods

Perhaps a belief in a unifying force that gives meaning to life Perhaps a belief in something greater than our personal and physical existence

Defining Spiritual Health

From

Dr. N. Lee Smith:

Peace with oneself and the environment Feeling of empowerment and control Connectedness to oneself and others Sense of purpose Enjoyment of personal growth and potential Sense of hope

Defining Spiritual Health

Spiritual Health continued

4 main themes:
1. Interconnectedness connections involving relationships with ourselves, others and purpose in life 2. Mindfulness awareness and acceptance of the reality of the present moment (in the zone) 3. As part of daily life embodied in faith, hope, and love 4. Communal harmony realization of lifes goals, desires and values and how they impact others

Factors Influencing Psychosocial Health

External

factors

Most reactions are a direct result of experiences and expectations 3 important external factors
Family

influences can be healthy and nurturing or dysfunctional showing negative behaviors and/or physical abuse Environmental influences include schools, health care, socioeconomic status Social bonds and social supports

Factors Influencing Psychosocial Health

Internal

factors

Include hereditary traits, physical health and fitness, and mental/emotional health Self-efficacy
A

belief in ones own skill Past success or failure leads to an expectation of further success or failure in that particular task or skill Positive self-efficacy gives a sense of personal control

Factors Influencing Psychosocial Health

Internal

factors continued

Self-esteem
Refers

to a sense of self-respect or confidence Different from self-efficacy in that it refers to the whole individual, not simply task-related confidence
Evaluation of oneself as worthwhile and cared about by others People with poor self-esteem do not like themselves and lack confidence

Factors Influencing Psychosocial Health

Personality

Determined by heredity, environment, culture, and experiences Is not static and changes through life Traits of psychosocially healthy personalities:
Extroversion Agreeableness Openness

to experience Emotional stability Conscientiousness

Enhancing Psychosocial Health

Develop

Esteem

and Maintain Self-Efficacy and Self-

Find a support group

Maintain

friendships and contact with family Get involved politically, join a club or recreational association

Complete required tasks

Create

a history of success

Form realistic expectations

Enhancing Psychosocial Health

Develop

and Maintain Self-Efficacy and SelfEsteem continued

Make time for you Maintain physical health Examine problems and seek help

Self-EfficacyIndividual Activity
Think

of two different tasks or skills

One in which you have a high level of selfefficacy One in which you have a low level of selfefficacy
List

several reasons why self-efficacy is more positive in the higher ranked task List several reasons how you can raise self-efficacy in the lower ranked task

Enhancing Psychosocial Health

Sleep
Serves 2 biological purposes
1. Conservation of energy Feeling rested 2. Restoration Re-supply of neurotransmitters

How much?

7-9 hours

Enhancing Psychosocial Health

Sleep

continued

Establish a sleep schedule Establish a good sleep enviroment Exercise regularly Limit caffeine and alcohol Avoid heavy meals before bedtime Establish a nighttime ritual Nap only in the afternoon, if at all Get up if unable to fall asleep

Mind-Body Connection

Happiness
Experts not entirely clear how to achieve subjective well-being (SWB)
1. 2. 3.

Otherwise know as happiness Satisfaction with present life

Sociable, outgoing, willing to share

Composed of 3 central elements

Relative presence of positive emotions

Generally see the world as a positive environment

Experience less anger, depression, anxiety

Relative absence of negative emotions

Mind-Body Connection
Happiness

myths debunked:

Age doesnt matter Gender doesnt matter Race doesnt matter Money doesnt matter

Mind-Body Connection
Laughter

is the best medicine

Limits negative effects of stressors Positive coping mechanism Helps battle depression and anxiety Brings people together (especially with those having shared experiences)

Psychosocial Disorders
Depression

Major depression is one of the most common psychiatric disorders It is normal to feel down or depressed following traumatic loss
Those

with major depressive disorder experience extreme, persistent sadness, despair and hopelessness, feelings of intense guilt, and worthlessness Approximately 15% attempt suicide

Psychosocial Disorders
Depression

continued

Women experience depression almost twice the rate of men It can strike at any age, but generally the first experience occurs before 40 Risks:
Biology

(genetic history) Poor learned behavioral responses Cognitive factors (the way one thinks)

Psychosocial Disorders
Facts

about depression

True depression is a categorized psychiatric disorder, not the normal reaction to lifes low points Those with depression cannot simply stop being depressed Frequent crying does not signal a depressed person Depression is not an emotional reaction but a physiological one There is no one-size-fits-all therapy

Psychosocial Disorders
Anxiety

disorders

Number one mental health problem

Strikes

13% of all adults Costs nearly $50 billion per year in medical bills and lost worktime Include generalized anxiety disorders, panic disorder, and phobias

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

A

constant worrier who becomes debilitated by the worrry

Psychosocial Disorders

Generalized Anxiety Disorder contd

Diagnosis from 3 of 6 symptoms
Restlessness or feeling keyed up or on edge 2. Being easily fatigued 3. Difficulty concentrating or mind going blank 4. Irritability 5. Muscle tension 6. Sleep disturbances
1.

Psychosocial Disorders
Panic

Disorder

Severe anxiety attack in which a particular situation, often for unknown reasons, causes terror Symptoms (pages 46-47)
Specific

Phobias

Irrational fear of a specific object, activity or situation

Social

Phobias

Characterized by fear and avoidance of social situations

Psychosocial Disorders
Seasonal

Affective Disorder (SAD)

Strikes during winter months Sufferers experience irritability, apathy, carbohydrate craving, weight gain, increased sleep, and general sadness Those 20-40 are most at risk Light therapy, improved diet, exercise, stress management, and improved sleep habits can help

Psychosocial Disorders
Schizophrenia

a mental illness with biological origin Characteristics

Alterations

of the sense Inability to sort incoming stimuli Altered sense of self Radical emotions, movements, behaviors

Commonly appears in late adolescence Treatment includes medication and psychotherapy

Suicide
35,000

to 100,000 cases per year Third leading cause of death Results from poor coping skills, lack of social support, self-esteem, and hope College students at high risk 75-80% give warning signs
Best way to prevent suicide is to eliminate risk factors (page 50)

Suicide
Taking

action to prevent suicide

Monitor warning signals Take threats seriously Let the person know you care Listen Offer alternatives Tell the persons relatives and friends

Seeking Psychosocial Help

See

pages 51-52 for list Mental health professionals

Psychiatrist Psychologist Psychoanalyst Social Worker Counselor Can offer individual and/or group therapy

Psychosocial Health Small Group Activity

1. Why do you think the college environment may provide a real challenge to your psychosocial health? 2. Think of someone you know who has high self-esteem. What characteristics does this person have? Do you enjoy being with someone who has high self-esteem? 3. What role does laughter play in your daily life? 4. How have psychosocial disorders been portrayed in movies? What are some specific examples? 5. How do you react to bad news? Do you think about how your reactions affect your mental and emotional health? 6. What is spirituality to you? Can your group agree on three factors associated with spirituality?