THE PSYCHOLOGICAL PRINCIPLES OF STRESS MANAGEMENT

PSYCHOLOGY 3098

Spring 2006  

Instructor:  Joie Acheson, MA, LICSW emeritus, KRI

Office:  316E Bohannon Hall / Phone 726-7458

Office Hours:  Mondays: 8:30-9am, 2-3pm

                         Wednesdays: 8:30-9am, 2-3pm

                          Tues, Thurs, Fri: by appointment 

E-Mail: jacheson@d.umn.edu

 

Course Description:  The course examines the psychological principles applicable to stress management and holistic life management. It advances experiential application of a wide spectrum of approaches integrating cognitive, physical and social characteristics of wellbeing.

Introduction:  Psychological, physiological and social variables involving stress will be addressed in this course, including its definition, theoretical bases, interventions, cognitive components, and stress related illnesses. The course will utilize a variety of formats including: lecture, discussion, in-class exercises, case-studies, film and student response device technology. Students will learn, practice and evaluate many of the current stress reduction techniques, including autogenic training, progressive relaxation, meditation, yoga, and breathing techniques. You will develop a Personal Stress Portfolio throughout the semester, which will include the results of all scales taken, thoughts during specific class sessions or while completing reading assignments, reactions to speakers and outside activities, results of the three exams, reactions to all in-class relaxation techniques and other interventions, an in-depth analysis of your own stress level and reactivity, and a summary of the expertise you have developed in managing your own stress.

Objectives:  At the semester’s conclusion, students will have a conceptual and theoretical understanding of stress from the psychological, physical, and social perspectives. Students will have examined stress management theories and techniques, and will have demonstrated the application of theory to their own lives.

Class Format: Monday and Wednesday class times are devoted to lecture, discussion, experiential activities and films. Friday sessions will be used to participate in a variety of stress management techniques, in Bohannon Hall #311. Due to space considerations, the class will be divided into two sections. Section 1 (first half of the alphabet) meets on the following dates: Jan 27th, Feb 10th, Feb 24th, Mar 24th, Apr 7th, Apr 21st. Section 2 (second half of the alphabet) meets on the following dates: Feb 3rd, Feb 17th, Mar 3rd, Mar 31st, Apr 14th, Apr 21st.

Attendance:  Attendance is required and will show a direct relationship to your final grade.  If you do miss class, you are responsible for all material covered.  Attendance will be taken at all Friday sessions.

Course Requirements: 

1. You will read the course text, and also locate, read and review two journal articles: one article on a stress- related illness, one article on a stress management technique (2 pages each)

2. You will take several (15-20) stress scales and analyze your results

3. Three midterm exams and one final exam

4. Participation in the in-class stress reduction methods, and evaluation of those methods

5. Participate with student response device technology in the classroom

6. Creation of a personal stress portfolio and discussion of your results

7. Written evaluation of the course (1 page)

Textbook:

Schafer, Walt (2000) Stress Management for Wellness,  Fourth edition, Thomson/ Wadsworth.

You must purchase a Student Response Device (UMD Store - ask at the desk)

 

Reading Assignments: 

Week One - ch 1

Week Two - ch 4

Week Three - ch 6

Week Four - ch 8, 9

Week Five - ch 5

Week Six - ch 7

Week Seven - journal article

Week Eight - journal article

Week Nine - ch 12, 13

Week Ten - ch 14

Week Twelve - ch 2

Week Thirteen - ch 11, 16

Week Fourteen - ch 3, 18

 

Grading: Two journal articles = 20 points each; Three midterm exams = 45 points each; Final exam = 50 points; Personal Stress Portfolio = 75 points; Stress Reduction Methods Class Attendance = 30 points; SRD participation = 25 points; Class Evaluation = 15 points. Points will be totaled and percentages of those points will be used to determine grades using the following table:

A=100-92% A-=91-90% B+ =89-88% B=87-82% B- =81-80% C+ =79-78% C=77-72% C- =71-70%

D+ =69-68% D=67-62% D- =61-60% F=59-0%

 

Class Assignments:

Workload: For undergraduate courses, one credit is defined as equivalent to an average of three hours of learning effort per week (over a full semester) necessary for an average student to achieve an average grade in the course. For example, a student taking a three credit course that meets for three hours a week should expect to spend an additional six hours a week on coursework outside the classroom.

 

Students with Disabilities: Individuals who have any disability, either permanent or temporary, which might affect their ability to perform in this class are encouraged to see me at the start of the semester. Adaptation of methods, materials, or testing may be made as required to provide for equitable participation.