CWP Stress Management and Resilience 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which physiological response is activated during acute stress and is commonly referred to as the 'fight-or-flight' response?
- Parasympathetic nervous system
- Sympathetic nervous system (Correct answer)
- Enteric nervous system
- Somatic nervous system
Correct answer: Sympathetic nervous system
The sympathetic nervous system activates the fight-or-flight response, releasing stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline to prepare the body for perceived threats.
Question 2: In the context of stress management, what does the term 'allostatic load' refer to?
- The body's immediate alarm response to a stressor
- The cumulative wear and tear on the body from chronic stress exposure (Correct answer)
- A technique for measuring perceived stress levels
- The capacity for an individual to recover quickly from stressors
Correct answer: The cumulative wear and tear on the body from chronic stress exposure
Allostatic load refers to the cumulative physiological cost of chronic exposure to stress, representing the wear and tear on the body over time.
Question 3: Which stress management technique involves deliberately tensing and then relaxing different muscle groups throughout the body?
- Mindfulness meditation
- Progressive muscle relaxation (Correct answer)
- Autogenic training
- Guided imagery
Correct answer: Progressive muscle relaxation
Progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) is a technique developed by Edmund Jacobson that involves systematically tensing and releasing muscle groups to reduce physical tension and anxiety.
Question 4: According to Lazarus and Folkman's Transactional Model of Stress, what is 'primary appraisal'?
- Evaluating one's available coping resources
- Determining whether a situation is irrelevant, benign, or stressful (Correct answer)
- Reassessing the stressor after initial coping attempts
- Identifying the physiological symptoms of stress
Correct answer: Determining whether a situation is irrelevant, benign, or stressful
Primary appraisal is the initial cognitive evaluation of whether a situation poses a threat, challenge, or harm/loss to the individual.
Question 5: Which of the following is an example of emotion-focused coping?
- Creating a detailed plan to resolve a work conflict
- Seeking out information to better understand a diagnosis
- Practicing deep breathing to manage anxiety about an exam (Correct answer)
- Delegating tasks to reduce workload
Correct answer: Practicing deep breathing to manage anxiety about an exam
Emotion-focused coping aims to regulate emotional responses to stress rather than changing the stressor itself; deep breathing to manage anxiety is a classic example.
Question 6: Which hormone, often called the 'stress hormone,' is secreted by the adrenal cortex and plays a central role in the stress response?
- Serotonin
- Dopamine
- Cortisol (Correct answer)
- Melatonin
Correct answer: Cortisol
Cortisol is a glucocorticoid released by the adrenal cortex in response to stress, regulating metabolism, immune function, and the stress response.
Question 7: What is the primary goal of resilience-building interventions in a wellness program?
- Eliminating all sources of stress from a client's life
- Enhancing an individual's capacity to adapt positively to adversity (Correct answer)
- Teaching clients to avoid stressful situations entirely
- Reducing cortisol levels through pharmacological means
Correct answer: Enhancing an individual's capacity to adapt positively to adversity
Resilience-building interventions aim to strengthen an individual's ability to bounce back and adapt constructively when facing challenges, adversity, or significant stress.
CWP Stress Management and Resilience 1
Which physiological response is activated during acute stress and is commonly referred to as the 'fight-or-flight' response?