Eighth International Conference on Health, Wellness & Society

Abstract

The aim of the study was two-fold: To assess the extent to which positivity ratio (positive affect divided by negative affect) and stress-related growth (SRG) following stressful life events are associated with perceived health status and economic situation, and with psychosocial resources of optimism, control and social support; To test a model in which health status and economic situation contribute to psychosocial resources which, in turn, affect positivity and SRG. Method. A secondary analysis of the data of 355 participants (56.3% women; Mean age = 39.72, SD = 11.75, Range = 22 - 77) was implemented. They completed questionnaires assessing positive and negative affect and SRG in relation to a relatively recent life event (1 – 24 months) such as illness, divorce, car accident, etc. They also completed questionnaires assessing demographic variables, perceived health status and economic situation (one item each), and social desirability, and dispositional optimism, sense of mastery and social support. Pearson correlation analysis showed psychosocial resources to be positively associated with health status and economic situation and with positivity ratio. Health status and economic situation were not associated with either positivity ratio or SRG. Using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), the model with the best fit indices was the one in which optimism, mastery and social support were related mainly to health status; mastery and social support contributed to positivity ratio. Other alternative models had lower fit indices. Perceived health status and to some extent, economic situation, are important resources which affect psychosocial resources. Mastery and social support are the resources that independently contribute to psychological outcomes following stressful life events.