Comparative predictive value of attributional style, negative affect, and positive affect in predicting self-reported...

The main aim of the study was to determine the comparative predictive value of affect and attributions in predicting emotional and physical health. Secondary aims were to determine the comparative value of attributional, affect variables, in predicting health. Two hundred and forty subjects completed scales for the assessment of attributions, and negative and positive affect. Subjects also answered self-report questions on emotional health, physical health, number of visits to doctors for medical advice, illness, and days absent from work. The analysis of relative importance of attributional and affect variables in predicting health revealed that negative affect caused by thoughts was the best predictor of psychological health and physical health; there was some indication that positive affect caused by thoughts was the next best predictor of health. Analysis of the predictive value of attributional variables only, revealed that: (a) attributional style for bad events was a better predictor of health than attributional style for good events; and (b) of all the attributions made for good events and bad events, global attributions for bad events were the best predictor of health. Analysis of the predictive value of affect variables only showed that: (a) negative affect was a better predictor of health than positive affect; and (b) of negative affect and positive affect caused by thoughts and day-to-day experiences, negative affect caused by thoughts was the best predictor of health.