Refining the conceptualization of a future-oriented self-regulatory behavior: Proactive coping

Abstract

Proactive coping, directed at an upcoming as opposed to an ongoing stressor, is a new focus in positive psychology research. However, two differing conceptualizations of this construct create confusion. This study compared how each operationalization of proactive coping relates to well-being. Participants (N = 281) facing an upcoming college examination completed the Proactive Coping Inventory (PCI; consisting of two subscales that each assess one of the conceptualizations), the Proactive Competence Scale (PCS; that assesses the proactive coping process), and measures of well-being. The results demonstrated that conceptualizing proactive coping as a positively-focused striving for goals was predictive of well-being (the shared variance from affect, subjective well-being and physical symptoms), whereas conceptualizing proactive coping as focused on preventing a negative future was not. The first conceptualization of proactive coping’s unique association with well-being was explained by two of the proactive competencies, use of resources and realistic goal setting, and the remaining variance in well-being was explained by the first factor of optimism. These results demonstrated that aspiring for a positive future is distinctly predictive of well-being and that research should focus on accumulating resources and goal setting in designing interventions to promote proactive coping.

Future-Oriented Coping and Job Hunting Among College Students

“…According to this definition, proactive coping as proposed by Aspinwall and Taylor (1997) was in fact preventive coping, because its goal is preventing a bad outcome rather than constructing a good one. Sohl and Moyer (2009) confirmed the separation of two differing conceptualizations of proactive coping. That is, conceptualizing proactive coping as positively focused on striving for goals could predict well-being, whereas conceptualizing it as focused on preventing a negative future could not.…”

Estilo de afrontamiento, optimismo disposicional, depresión, imagen corporal, imc, y riesgo de tca como predictores de calidad de vida relacionada con la salud

“…No se encontraron diferencias en la calidad de vida reportada y los grupos conformados según el peso, con evidencia previa al respecto aportada por Hassan, Joshi, Madhavan y Amonkar (2003) En general los resultados apuntan a reconfirmar que la insatisfacción con la imagen corporal y la depresión impactan de forma negativa en la calidad de vida de las personas; y que por el contrario la visión optimista potencia tanto la calidad de vida como la capacidad de afrontar situaciones de enfermedad (Sohl & Moyer, 2009;Vinaccia et al, 2006). Cash, Jakatdar y Fleming, (2004) y López, Fernández y Polo, (2005 encontraron que la importancia dada a la apariencia corporal y la percepción negativa de sí mismo mermaban la percepción de bienestar; de la misma forma que la depresión aumenta la percepción de dolor, deteriora las relaciones interpersonales y altera la satisfacción con la propia vida (Cruz, Polanski, & Fleck, 2008;Remor et al, 2006;Renata et al, 2011); especialmente cuando las personas padecen alguna enfermedad crónica (Albert, Maina, Bogetto, Chiarle, & Mataix-Cols, 2009;Endermann & Zimmermann, 2009;Gallegos et al, 2009;Kojima et al, 2009;Narváez, Twamley, McKibbin, Heaton, & Patterson,2008;Pirkola et al, 2009).…”

Estudo de Validação do Questionário de Coping Conjugal Prospetivo e do seu Valor Preditivo no Bem-estar Pessoal e no Ajustamento Diádico

“…Nos últimos anos, foram já desenvolvidas intervenções para promoção das competências proativas no envelhecimento (Bode, Ridder, Kuijer, & Bensing, 2007) e para promover a personalidade proativa no desempenho académico (Kirby, Kirby, & Lewis, 2002). Existem, segundo os autores, muitos outros contextos a ser explorados, como é o caso do sucesso nas relações conjugais, podendo beneficiar amplamente de intervenções semelhantes (Sohl & Moyer, 2009).…”

“…Sohl & Moyer, 2009;Uskul & Greenglass, 2005) e do ajustamento em contextos de vida relevantes (e.g. ajustamento académico; Gan, Yang, Zhou, Hu, & Zhang, 2007).…”