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A model of the eustress system for health/illness
Author(s) -
Milsum John H.
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
behavioral science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.371
H-Index - 45
eISSN - 1099-1743
pISSN - 0005-7940
DOI - 10.1002/bs.3830300402
Subject(s) - stressor , psychology , coping (psychology) , feed forward , causal loop diagram , social system , social stress , social psychology , system dynamics , cognitive psychology , computer science , developmental psychology , neuroscience , clinical psychology , artificial intelligence , control engineering , engineering
The stress response system, as vital mediator of the individual's health/illness dynamics at physical, psychological, and social levels, is modeled through a systems approach. This extremely complex self‐regulating system involves multiple causal factors, nonlinearities, and time delays. Key basic functions are surveillance, mobilization of resources, feedback, and purpose. The underlying physiological stress response comprises three main mechanisms: autonomic nervous system, hormonal system, and immune response sytem. Their afferent pathways are presented in a flow diagram, and integrated into the full system which includes the psycho‐social dimensions. The main features of this overall system comprise: psycho‐social dynamics, feedback and feedforward monitors, self‐concept, evaluation and strategy‐decision making, generalized coping resources, mobilization of response strategies, and behavioral control. Stressors, as potential producers of stress, are illustrated in the physical, psychological, and social domains. A U‐shaped universal dose‐response curve is helpful in understanding stressor‐destressor actions. Destressors are similarly considered, with special relation to lifestyle. Finally, the concept of eustress is developed as the ideal condition toward which this complex homeostatic system works.