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[Relationship between dispositional optimism/pessimism and stress coping strategies]
Alfonso Martínez-Correa1, Gustavo A Reyes del Paso, Ana García-León
1Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias de la Educación, Universidad de Jaén, Spain. almarcor@ujaen.es
Psicothema
|February 14, 2007
Summary
Dispositional pessimism correlates with more physical health symptoms, while optimism is linked to fewer. This connection is largely explained by self-criticism coping strategies used by pessimists.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Health Psychology
- Behavioral Medicine
Background:
- Dispositional pessimism is linked to poorer physical health outcomes.
- Stress coping strategies may mediate the relationship between optimism/pessimism and health.
- Understanding these links is crucial for mental and physical well-being.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the association between dispositional optimism/pessimism and somatic symptoms in university students.
- To investigate the mediating role of stress coping strategies in this relationship.
Main Methods:
- A sample of 200 university students completed self-report measures.
- Assessed dispositional optimism and pessimism.
- Evaluated self-reported somatic symptoms and stress coping strategies.
Main Results:
- Pessimism showed a positive association with reporting physical symptoms.
- Optimism demonstrated a negative association with somatic complaints.
- Self-criticism, a coping strategy associated with pessimism, significantly mediated the relationship.
Conclusions:
- Dispositional pessimism is associated with increased somatic symptoms, potentially due to maladaptive coping mechanisms like self-criticism.
- Optimism may protect against physical symptoms through different coping strategies.
- Interventions targeting self-criticism could improve health outcomes for individuals with pessimistic tendencies.
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