Q.Explain the effect of stress on psychological functioning.
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Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →Stress affects psychological functioning mainly through emotional, cognitive and behavioural effects, ranging from mood swings and anxiety to poor concentration, faulty decisions and unhealthy habits.
There are four major effects of stress associated with the stressed state, viz. emotional, physiological, cognitive and behavioural. Of these, the psychological effects are chiefly the emotional, cognitive and behavioural ones.
Emotional effects
Those who suffer from stress are far more likely to experience mood swings and show erratic behaviour that may alienate them from family and friends. In some cases this starts a vicious circle of decreasing confidence, leading to more serious emotional problems. Examples include feelings of anxiety and depression, increased physical tension, increased psychological tension and mood swings.
Cognitive effects
If pressures due to stress continue, one may suffer from mental overload. Suffering from a high level of stress can rapidly cause individuals to lose their ability to make sound decisions. Faulty decisions made at home, in career or at the workplace may lead to arguments, failure, financial loss or even loss of job. The cognitive effects of stress are poor concentration and reduced short-term memory capacity.
Behavioural effects
Stress affects behaviour in the form of eating less nutritional food, increasing intake of stimulants such as caffeine, and excessive consumption of cigarettes, alcohol and other drugs such as tranquillisers. Tranquillisers can be addictive and have side effects such as loss of concentration, poor coordination and dizziness. Typical behavioural effects include disrupted sleep patterns, increased absenteeism and reduced work performance.
Prolonged stress and burnout …
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