1. Discuss how stress has been measured in health psychology research. Critique each of the methods. Give specific examples from the research to support your discussion.
2. Explain how neuro-endocrine and immune pathways are implicated in the physiological response to stress. How can these pathways lead to disease? Discuss the research evidence for these pathways.
3. Discuss how coping has been conceptualized and operationalized. Discuss how coping strategies act as intervening variables (i.e., moderators, mediators) between the stress and illness relationship. Under what circumstances might different types of coping be adaptive or maladaptive? Give specific examples from the research to support your discussion.
4. Discuss the unique stressors experienced by racial/ethnic/sexual minorities, especially focusing on the chronic nature of these stressors, and their relationship to health outcomes. What intervening variables have been found to play a significant role in the stress-illness process in those groups? Give specific examples from the research to support your discussion.
5. Explain in detail how individual differences in personality are predictors of health outcomes. In addition, how does personality intervene in the relationship between stress and health outcomes? Include specific examples from the research.
6. How has positive psychology influenced the way health psychologists view the role of the stress relationship with health outcomes? Give specific examples from the research.
