The Unique Contribution of Positive Orientation to Optimal Functioning

Alessandri, Guido; Caprara, Gian Vittorio; Tisak, John

doi:10.1027/1016-9040/a000070

Cited by 120 publications

(151 citation statements)

References 79 publications

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“…The above results relating psychological variables (personality, coping and perceived stress) to psychopathology are consistent with previous literature (Alessandri, Caprara, & Tisak, 2012;Caprara et al, 2012;Carver & Connor-Smith, 2010;Malouff et al, 2005;Visser et al, 2015). The influence of socio-demographic variables on the development of psychopathology has also been widely studied (Altemus, Sarvaiya, & Epperson, 2014;Tang, Liu, Liu, Xue, & Zhang, 2014).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 80%

Estrés vital: variables psicológicas y sociodemográficas predictoras del malestar emocional

Vallejo-Sánchez

Pérez-García

2016

Accion psicol.

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ResumenIntroducción: La personalidad y las estrategias de afrontamiento utilizadas ante el estrés juegan un papel importante en el desarrollo de problemas de salud mental. El objetivo de este estudio fue comprobar si estas variables, junto con el estrés percibido y algunas variables sociodemográficas significativas, permitían predecir el nivel de sintomatología ansiosa y depresiva presentada en una muestra de personas con Trastorno Adaptativo (TA), y si las variables predictoras eran las mismas en una muestra control. Método: Se aplicó un protocolo compuesto por cuestionarios de estrés percibido, personalidad, positividad, afrontamiento y síntomas a un grupo de pacientes que acudieron a una Unidad de Salud Mental, diagnosticados de Trastorno Adaptativo (N = 80), y a un grupo control (N = 80). Se realizaron análisis de regresión sobre la sintomatología. Resultados: En general, las variables psicológicas y sociodemográficas consideradas contribuyeron en la predicción de la sintomatología, aunque los resultados variaron dependiendo del grupo considerado y del tipo de síntoma. En el grupo control, un mayor neuroticismo, menor positividad, mayor estrés percibido y estar en paro predijeron mayores puntuaciones en depresión, y mayor neuroticismo, estar en paro y ser mujer predijeron mayor ansiedad (no siendo relevante el afrontamiento en ningún caso). En el grupo clínico, la capacidad predictiva de las variables fue menor, especialmente en el caso de la ansiedad. Las variables que predijeron mayor sintomatología depresiva fueron ser menos positivo, un mayor uso del afrontamiento de falta de compromiso o evitativo, ser hombre y estar en paro, mientras que en la predicción de la sintomatología ansiosa sólo resultó significativo el neuroticismo. Conclusiones: Las características de personalidad y afrontamiento, el estrés percibido y las características sociodemográficas podrían ser factores de vulnerabilidad a considerar en el desarrollo de estrategias de evaluación, preventivas y de intervención en personas sometidas a estrés vital, aunque probablemente es importante considerar el tipo de muestra en la selección de las estrategias más relevantes. AbstractIntroduction: Personality and coping used to manage stress play an important role in the development of mental health problems. The aim of this study was to analyse whether these variables, together with perceived stress and some relevant socio-demographic characteristics, could predict the level of anxiety and depressive symptoms presented in people diagnosed with Adjustment Disorder (AD). As well as analysing if the significant predictor variables were the same in the control group. Method: Perceived stress, personality, positivity, coping and symptoms were assessed in a group of patients with Adjustment Disorder who went to a Mental Health Unit (N = 80) and a control group (N = 80). Regression analyses were carried out to predict symptomatology. Results: Psychological and some socio-demographic variables predicted symptomatology, however, the results were different depending on the group and type of symptom considered. In the control group, higher neuroticism and perceived stress, lower positivity, and unemployment status predicted more depressive symptoms; whereas higher neuroticism, being a female, and unemployment predicted higher anxiety (coping was not relevant in any case). In the clinical group, the predictive capacity of variables was lower, especially in the case of anxiety. Lower positivity, greater use of disengagement or avoidant coping, being a male and unemployment predicted higher depressive symptomatology, whereas only neuroticism predicted symptoms of anxiety. Conclusions: Personality, coping, perceived stress and socio-demographic characteristics could be factors of vulnerability that should be considered in the development of assessment, prevention and treatment strategies with people exposed to life stress. However, the characteristics of the group considered are a key factor in the selection of the most relevant strategy

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 80%

Estrés vital: variables psicológicas y sociodemográficas predictoras del malestar emocional

Vallejo-Sánchez

Pérez-García

2016

Accion psicol.

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“…Caprara (2009) suggested that PO is such a factor. Caprara defines PO as a general tendency to respond to life experiences with a positive attitude (Alessandri et al 2012;Caprara 2009;Caprara et al 2010). From an empirical point of view, PO is a latent variable that explains the common variability of three variables used most frequently in studies on optimal functioning: self-esteem (measured with Self-Esteem Scale, SES, Rosenberg 1965), life satisfaction (Life Satisfaction Scale, SWLS, Diener et al 1985) and optimism (Life Orientation Test, LOT-R; Scheier et al 1994).…”

Section: Positive Orientationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Positive Time: Balanced Time Perspective and Positive Orientation

Sobol-Kwapińska

Jankowski

2015

J Happiness Stud

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The aim of the research presented in this article is to investigate the relationship between positive orientation and time perspective as outlined by Zimbardo and Boyd (J Pers Soc Psychol 77:1271-1288) and extended by an additional form of concentration on the present. The Polish version of the Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory was used. A third type of present time perspective, namely active concentration on the present, was measured by the Carpe Diem Scale. One hundred and eighty five Polish people (non-students) participated in a survey to which a canonical-correlation analysis and a cluster analysis were applied. Positive orientation was correlated with a balanced temporal profile comprising a strong positive past orientation, moderate concentration on the future, poor fatalistic time perspective, poor concentration on the negative past and moderate active concentration on the present. Whereas a positive orientation is based on a general positive attitude towards life and self, a balanced time perspective reflects a general positive attitude towards time, in which an active concentration on the present plays an important role.

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“…Other fi ndings have shown that positive orientation is a strong predictor of measures related to depression, positive and negative affectivity, quality of friendship, and health. Other fi ndings attest to a positive association of positive orientation with the positive sides of basic personality traits, basic values, psychological well-being, self-effi cacy beliefs, resilience, trust and various indicators of health, pro-sociality and adjustment across domains of functioning, such as family, school, work and civic engagement (Alessandri, Caprara, & Tisak, 2012). Negative associations have been found between positive orientation and depression, shyness, hostile rumination, irritability, violence and somatic complaints.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Psychometric properties of the positivity scale - Brazilian version

Borsa

Damásio

Souza

et al. 2015

Psicol. Reflex. Crit.

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This study presents the psychometric properties of the Brazilian version of the Positivity Scale (P--Scale). Participants were 730 subjects (65% women), aged from 17 to 70 years old (M = 31.0 years; SD = 11.43), from 21 Brazilian states. The sample was randomly split in two halves to cross-validate the results. With the fi rst half of the sample (n 1 = 365), an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was conducted. With the second half of the sample (n 2 = 365), a confi rmatory factor analysis (CFA) assessed the fi t of the exploratory model. Convergent validity and group differences were also evaluated. The EFA and CFA presented a one-dimensional structure for the P-Scale. Moderate correlations were found between the P-Scale and mental-health, subjective happiness and life-satisfaction. The levels of positivity presented a low positive correlation with age, educational level and fi nancial income. Slightly signifi cant effects were found for occupational status and marital status. Positivity appears to be more closely related to personal dispositions than to sociodemographic aspects. Our results suggest that the P-Scale is a reliable measure with which to evaluate the levels of positivity in Brazil. Keywords: Positivity, scale, translation, adaptation, factor analysis. ResumoEste estudo apresenta as propriedades psicométricas da versão brasileira da Escala de Positividade (EP). Participaram 730 sujeitos (65,0% mulheres), com idades entre 17 e 70 anos (M = 31,0; DP = 11,43) de 21 estados brasileiros. A amostra foi dividida em duas metades para a validação cruzada dos resultados. Com a primeira metade da amostra (n 1 = 365), foi conduzida uma análise fatorial exploratória (AFE). Com a segunda metade da amostra (n 2 = 365), foi conduzida uma análise fatorial confi rmatória (AFC) para avaliar a adequação do modelo exploratório. Validade convergente e diferenças entre grupos também foram avaliadas. A AFE e a AFC indicaram o modelo unidimensional para a EP. Correlações moderadas foram encontradas entre a EP e medidas de saúde mental, felicidade subjetiva e satisfação com a vida. Os níveis de positividade apresentaram correlações positivas fracas com as variáveis idade, nível educacional e renda. Resultados signifi cativos, com baixo tamanho de efeito, foram encontrados nos níveis de positividade em relação a status ocupacional e estado civil. A positividade parece estar mais relacionada a disposições pessoais do que com características sociodemográfi cas. Os resultados sugerem que a EP pode ser uma medida confi ável para avaliar os níveis de positividade no Brasil. Palavras-chave: Positividade, escala, tradução, adaptação, análise fatorial.

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The Unique Contribution of Positive Orientation to Optimal Functioning

Cited by 120 publications

References 79 publications

Estrés vital: variables psicológicas y sociodemográficas predictoras del malestar emocional

Estrés vital: variables psicológicas y sociodemográficas predictoras del malestar emocional

Positive Time: Balanced Time Perspective and Positive Orientation

Psychometric properties of the positivity scale - Brazilian version

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