THIS IS THE MAIN RESPOND
Unit 6 Discussion Forum
2 2 unread replies. 5 5 replies.
First, describe something new you learned about the physiological response to stress (ie., HPA activation; fight-or-flight; tend or befriend; sympathetic activation). Next, do some investigating and find a research article that highlights stress and culture. This could include cultural variations of the expression of stress, the effects of prejudice as a stressor, cultural differences in coping with stress, etc. You’re welcome to choose any cultural subgroup that you have an interest in (ie., think Hays’ ADDRESSING model which I’ve included below). Share with the class the main findings of the article you found and why you were interested in the article.

Next, discuss something new that you learned about the social determinants of health according to Berwick (2020). What do you view as your call to action as a future clinical psychologist?

ADDRESSING:

A: Age and generational influences

D: Developmental disability

D: Disability acquired later in life

R: Religion and spiritual orientation

E: Ethnicity/race

S: Socioeconomic status

S: Sexual orientation

I: Indigenous heritage

N: National origin

G: Gender

Hays, P. A. (2001). Addressing Cultural Complexities in Practice: A Framework for Clinicians and Counselors. Washington, D. C.: American Psychological Association.

THIS IS THE RESOPOND OF A STUDENT RESPOND TO THE MAIN POST ELLI

Something new that I have learned about the stress response, among the activation of various brain regions is how connected it is with various diagnoses. Friedman (2015) wrote on the species-specific defense response (SSDR) that is intended to allow species to rapidly establish coping, adaptation, and survival. Within the SSDR the prefrontal cortex provides emotional control, amygdala restraint, and regulation of the reward center, while the hippocampus provides us with contextual clues (Freidman, 2015). Additionally, part of the amygdala processes the sensory and visceral information which directs to the central nucleus in the amygdala and manages the key components of the SSDR (Freidman, 2015). Notably, recent research is beginning to understand how the SSDR could increase resilience to stress and trauma (Friedman, 2015).

The article on stress and culture that I found to be particularly interesting speaks of adolescent African Americans. Stevenson et al. (1997) examined the relationship between African Americans beliefs in racial socialization and levels of depression and anger. Interestingly, Stevenson et al. (1997) hypothesized that if adolescents had a any belief at all in racial socialization, that the responses would positively correlate to anger and negatively relate to depression. It was found that both male and female African Americans who are ethnically diverse and poor likely hold a perception of bottomless irreversible hope (Stevenson et al., 1997). I was interested in this article because much of the current population I work with is the exact opposite; Caucasian, upper class, Americans. It was interesting for me to read the research about perspectives of the other side.

Lastly, something new that I learned about the social determinants of health according to Berwick (2020) are how many of the determents could be changed. While reading this paper my emotions went from optimist to pessimist and back around. Of the 6 categories of social determinants, often times, work and community resilience can be changed by an individual. Similarly, the finer grain  that is described in Berwick (2020) call out many newly popularized causes while I personally believe that there are older ones that should be focused on first, for example alcohol use or Native American oppression. While it would be easy with a redistribution of wealth, I am saddened knowing that for many, money is power and powerless equates to fear. As a future clinician my call to action is something like, no matter who walks into my office, treat them as if they are the most important client I have and always give them my best.

References

Friedman, M. J. (2015). The human stress response. In N. C. Bernardy, M. J. Friedman, N. C.

Bernardy, M. J. Friedman (Eds.) , A practical guide to PTSD treatment: Pharmacological and psychotherapeutic approaches (pp. 9-19). American Psychological Association.

https://doi:10.1037/14522-002 (Saybrook University Library: PsycINFO database.)

Stevenson, H. C., Reed, J., & Bishop, A. (1997). Racism stress management: racial socialization beliefs and the experience of depression and anger in african american youth. Youth and Society, 29(2), 197222. https://doi.org/10.1177/0044118X97029002003