Week 1_S2_Health_Sc

Scenario A – Job Interview
Maria has an important job interview this afternoon. As she waits to be called in, her palms feel sweaty, her heart is racing, and she notices she is breathing faster than usual.

Which pathway explains Maria’s rapid heartbeat and sweaty palms?

• HPA axis

• SAM/autonomic system

• Immune–inflammation

• Gut–brain axis

Scenario B – Chronic Caregiving
David has been caring for his elderly parent with dementia for several years. Lately, he feels constantly fatigued, gets sick more often than before, and his doctor has noted higher levels of inflammation markers in his blood.

Chronic Caregiving
David’s repeated infections and high inflammation are linked to which pathway?

• HPA axis

• SAM/autonomic system

• Immune–inflammation

• Gut–brain axis

Scenario D – Public Speaking
Sam must give a 20-minute presentation to 200 people. In the minutes leading up, he feels tense, his mouth is dry, and he can’t stop thinking about how others will judge him.

Public Speaking
Sam’s tense anticipation and cortisol release involve which pathway?

• HPA axis

• SAM/autonomic system

• Immune–inflammation

• Gut–brain axis

“Which of the four stress pathways do you think is most overlooked in everyday explanations of stress?”

• HPA axis

• SAM/autonomic system

• Immune–inflammation

• Gut–brain axis

Guess the % of hypertension cases estimated to be due to general stress (0–100%). Enter one number.

What is the first step in a biopsychosocial stress assessment?

• Screen for red flags

• Identify protective factors

• Provide explanation and reassurance

• Explore psychosocial stressors

What is the last step in a biopsychosocial stress assessment?

• Screen for red flags

• Identify protective factors

• Provide explanation and reassurance

• Explore psychosocial stressors

What do you consider the most important methodological limitation of the iSOMA study? Briefly (50-100 words) explain why.

Why do the authors present Table 2 (“Sample Characteristics at Baseline”)?

• To show that the two study groups were similar in their demographic and clinical characteristics before the intervention and to give readers a clear picture of the participants.

• To report the main treatment effects on primary outcomes after the intervention.

• To provide detailed background information on recruitment numbers, inclusion criteria, and the rationale for the chosen sample size calculation, ensuring readers understand how participants were selected and why the final number was considered sufficient.

• To display all variables used as covariates in the outcome models.