Overview

Topics include stress and anxiety disorders, resilience and coping, social relationships and stress, stress and personality, stress as a physiological response, stress add health outcomes, stress across the lifespan, psychological interventions, and prevention and wellbeing.

Assessment Strategy

Threshold -D- to C+- The work only demonstrates knowledge of key areas/principles of stress, coping theories and stress appraisal - There is limited evidence of originality or of background study - The work contains some irrelevant material and weaknesses in structure Arguments are presented but they lack coherence - The work contains factual errors with little evidence of problem solving - The are weaknesses in the standard of presentation and its accuracy

Good -B- to B+ - The work displays a sound knowledge of stress, coping theories and stress appraisal but with some limitations - There is evidence of background study - The work has a defined and logical structure but with some weaknesses in the way in the arguments are presented - There is some original interpretation of topics - The work is presented carefully with accurate information and few factual errors

Excellent -A- to A** - The work displays comprehensive knowledge and detailed understanding of stress, coping theories and stress appraisal, reflecting extensive background study - The work is highly focussed, well structured, logically presented and with defended arguments - The work considers the topics in an original way - The work is presented to a high standard with accurate information and no factual errors

Learning Outcomes

• Appreciate the nature and function of social support and how it influences stress appraisal, coping response and illness outcomes.

• Critically evaluate and synthesise coping theories, definitions and understand the distinction between coping styles and coping strategies.

• Critically evaluate theories of acute and chronic stress and demonstrate an understanding of the links between stress and illness (physical or psychological).

• Demonstrate an understanding of stress and coping as a transaction between the individual and environment.

• Demonstrate an understanding of the link between interpretation and emotional expression and its influence on stress appraisal, coping response and illness outcomes (physical and psychological).