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Reciprocal Associations Between Positivity and Positive Affect During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Mariagiovanna Caprara1, Antonio Contreras2, Juan C Suárez-Falcón3
1Department of Personality Psychology, Evaluation and Psychological Treatment, Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED), Madrid, Spain.
Summary
Positivity and positive affect create a virtuous cycle, enhancing well-being during challenging times like the COVID-19 pandemic. Higher general positivity leads to more positive affect, and vice versa.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Social Psychology
- Health Psychology
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic created a period of significant global turmoil.
- Understanding psychological resilience factors during crises is crucial for well-being.
- The relationship between dispositional positivity and affective states requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the longitudinal associations between general positivity and positive affect.
- To investigate the reciprocal influence of positivity and positive affect over time.
- To explore these dynamics within the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Main Methods:
- A cross-lagged panel model was employed.
- Longitudinal data were collected from 1401 students at five time points.
- Data collection spanned from January 2020 to September 2021.
Main Results:
- Higher general positivity was associated with reporting more intense positive affect.
- Above-average positive affect predicted higher levels of positivity.
- A reciprocal, virtuous cycle was identified between positivity and positive affect.
Conclusions:
- Positivity and positive affect mutually influence each other over time.
- This reciprocal relationship supports a dynamic view of psychological adaptation and well-being.
- Findings have implications for interventions aimed at enhancing well-being during stressful periods.
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