Ever at the ready for events that never happen

Abstract

Stress, whether daily stress, work stress or traumatic stress, is unhealthy. This lecture covers three recent theoretical approaches in explaining the mechanisms underlying the influence of psychological stress on somatic health. It is argued that stress research should focus less on stressors themselves and put more emphasis on prolonged stress responses. Three mechanisms are identified that cause this unhealthy prolonged stress response: first, the partly-proven mechanism of perseverative cognition; second, the mechanism of unconscious stress, which is currently being explored; and third, the notion of the stress response being a default response that is inhibited only when safety is perceived. All three mechanisms are deeply rooted in millions of years of our evolution. Although the dangers of the past have virtually disappeared, many of us remain ever at the ready for events that never happen.

Perseverative cognition, distracted communication, and well‐being in everyday social interaction

“…It is possible that different types of interventions will be needed if the negative effects of perseverative cognition differ across contexts. If, for instance, the negative effects are stronger during social interaction, interventions need to change the ways in which people are thinking and communicating during communication episodes to reduce maladaptive cognition and biased processing (Brosschot, 2017;S. Cacioppo et al, 2015;Kok & Fredrickson, 2014;Smallwood & Schooler, 2006).…”

“…Research clearly demonstrates that frequent rumination and worry are harmful to health and well‐being (Brosschot, ). Yet, questions remain about the specific ways in which people experience rumination and worry in the context of their everyday lives (Kircanski, Thompson, Sorenson, Sherdell, & Gotlib, ; Ottaviani, Medea, Lonigro, Tarvainen, & Couyoumdjian, ).…”

“…It is possible that different types of interventions will be needed if the negative effects of perseverative cognition differ across contexts. If, for instance, the negative effects are stronger during social interaction, interventions need to change the ways in which people are thinking and communicating during communication episodes to reduce maladaptive cognition and biased processing (Brosschot, ; S. Cacioppo et al, ; Kok & Fredrickson, ; Smallwood & Schooler, ). If, however, the effects of perseverative cognition on well‐being are weaker in social interaction relative to alone time, it would support interventions focused on increasing interaction time and creating new social connections, particularly at time points when individuals are most likely to experience high levels of perseveration (S. Cacioppo et al, ; Kok & Fredrickson, ).…”

“…Research clearly demonstrates that frequent rumination and worry are harmful to health and wellbeing (Brosschot, 2017). Yet, questions remain about the specific ways in which people experience As part of IARR's encouragement of open research practices, the authors have provided the following information: This research was preregistered.…”

Employee safety perception following workplace terrorism: a longitudinal study

“…An elevated sense of current threat and reduced sense of safety are fundamental in Ehlers and Clark's cognitive model of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and thought to arise as early symptoms in the disorder, later accompanied by re-experiencing, avoidance and hyperarousal (Ehlers & Clark, 2000). It has also been suggested that perceived safety may be the essential component in turning a chronic stress response off (Brosschot, 2017). In this theory, the stress response seen in an individual with PTSD could be viewed as the 'default response' in the individual whenever and for as long as there is an absence of perceived safety.…”