SFOA09091U Social stressors and health, psycho-physiological mechanisms

Volume 2014/2015
Education
Bacheloruddannelsen i folkesundhedsvidenskab
Kandidatuddannelsen i folkesundhedsvidenskab
Content

This course illuminates the broad set of applicable methods for measuring the physiological manifestations of stress. Another issue is the biological variation of the physiological measures. Understanding the variability in various physiological measures gives insight into applicable methods for understanding some of the most basic physiological processes linking social situations and chronic disease risk, and health status in general.


This interdisciplinary course integrates topics in occupational psychology, psychophysiology, and public health.  This course will give students an introduction to the history and evolution of the stress concept and other psycho-physiological concepts and processes. It will also address how challenging social situations at work and in the private life can lead to the development of chronic diseases. The students will be introduced to the epidemiological evidence which links psychosocial assessments at work with chronic disease. The course comprises the latest knowledge on the progress of psycho-physiological responses to social stressors.


 

Learning Outcome

After the course the participant will:

1) have knowledge of the state-of-the art of physiological measures in relation to social stressors

2) be acquainted with selected methods and problems in the use of physiological responses in the assessment of the effects of occupational stress and the mechanisms linking psycho-physiological responses to disease.

3) be able to evaluate studies in which physiological response to stressors are included.

The course covers methods of monitoring physiological measures of job stress in an introductory manner – with deeper emphasis on physiological stress models.  However, the course also introduces students to physiological systems and chronic disease and behavioural consequences of stress. 

 

Compendium

Basic epidemiology
The course will include (a) structured lectures to introduce and review the concepts and methods and (b) workshops where students will discuss relevant scientific papers or specific tasks.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Class Instruction
  • 30
  • Exam
  • 48
  • Preparation
  • 197
  • Total
  • 275
Credit
10 ECTS
Type of assessment
Written assignment, 48 timer
48-timers hjemmeopgave, som besvares efter kursets afslutning
Aid
All aids allowed
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
External censorship
Exam period
Se eksamensplanen
Criteria for exam assesment

For at opnå karakteren 12 skal den studerende kunne:

  • Complete all questions correctly in the week assignment in the end of the course
  • Describe different psycho-physiological reactions and how / under what conditions they may be used
  •  Discuss how physiological responses may be related to disease.
  •  Evaluate studies using physiological responses as a stress response.