Positive thoughts versus states of mind ratio as a stress moderator: Findings across four studies

Using two measures of positive automatic thoughts (PATs) and other archival data from four previous studies, the author compared the ability of PATs and States of Mind (SOM) ratio to moderate the relationship between negative events and dysphoria both cross sectionally and longitudinally. In three o f four cross-sectional analyses but in none of three longitudinal analyses, PATs moderated the negative event-dysphoria relationship. For more frequent PATs, negative events were less related to dysphoria. In one of four cross-sectional analyses and one of three longitudinal an analyses, SOM ratio moderated the negative event-dysphoria relationship such that, for higher SOM ratio, negative events were less predictive of dysphoria. Results were similar whether PATs were measured with the Automatic Thoughts Questionnaire- Positive or the Automatic Thoughts Questionnaire-Revised in studies 1-3 but differed across these instruments in some analyses in study 4. It is argued that, as cognitive products, state cognitions and SOM ratio may be unlikely to moderate stress effects consistently in longitudinal studies. It is recommended that, in studies of dysphoria and depression, researchers investigate (1) cognitions x cognitive structure interactions and (2) domain- specific belief x life event interactions

Thinking Positive as a Stress Buffer: The Role of Positive Automatic Cognitions in Depression and Happiness

To explore whether positive automatic thoughts (PATs) may function as stress buffers and mood enhancers, this study tested whether PATs and the PATs × Negative Events interaction predicted unique variance in future depression and happiness. The Life Experiences Survey, the Beck Depression Inventory, the Happiness Measures, the Hassles Scale, and both state and trait versions of the Automatic Thoughts Questionnaire and the Automatic Thoughts Questionnaire-Positive were administered to 152 undergraduate volunteers twice, with 6 weeks between testings. PATs predicted happiness, and PATs about social self-worth interacted with negative events to predict depression. For higher levels of such PATs, negative events had a weaker relation to depression

Positive automatic cognitions as moderators of the negative life event-dysphoria relationship

In this study, the author tested the hypothesis that positive automatic thoughts and the Positive Automatic Thoughts×Negative Life Stress interaction would predict dysphoria. The Automatic Thoughts Questionnaire-Positive, the Automatic Thoughts Questionnaire, the Life Experiences Survey, and the Beck Depression Inventory, were administered to 71 undergraduate volunteers. In hierarchical regression analyses, positive thoughts accounted for unique variance in dysphoria, over and above the variance accounted for by negative life stress and negative thoughts. Furthermore, for higher levels of positive cognitions, negative life stress had a reduced association with dysphoria, which suggested that, as hypothesized, positive cognitions may serve as stress-buffers. Positive automatic cognitions appear to be conceptually viable and may help to account for varied emotional reactions to life stress. © 1994 Plenum Publishing Corporation

What Leads to Wellness?: The Role of Psychological Resources in Well-Being

An expanding literature reveals that personality traits and psychological resources (PRs) are important in human well-being. In this article, the author reviews the literature regarding four PRs (positive thoughts, hardiness, generalized self-efficacy, and optimism), discusses the relationships among PRs and between PRs and personality characteristics, and proposes a theory that helps to account for current findings. Specific hypotheses are proposed, and implications for the practice of counseling psychology are discussed. © 1996, Sage Publications. All rights reserved

Resilience, Meaning, and Well-Being

In this issue of The Counseling Psychologist, Smith presents an array of important strength-related literature and offers propositions, stages, and counseling recommendations to foster resilience among youth. This article argues, however, that the strength-based counseling model is not sufficiently operational or clearly distinguishable from other models and that more inclusion of the adult well-being literature could help to clarify key constructs and relationships among variables. The author proffers a focal operationalization of psychological resilience as generalized self-efficacy and discusses the importance of cultural moderators of resilience effects and meaning in life as a predictor of well-being. He recommends studying the incremental therapeutic benefits of strength-focused interventions. © 2005, Sage Publications. All rights reserved

Generalized Self-Efficacy Expectancies and Optimism as Predictors of Growth Group Outcomes

In this study, optimism, generalized self-efficiency, and interactions between these variables and member expectancies for group were examined as predictors of growth group outcomes. The ability of initial expectancies topredict outcome depended on the level of generalized self-efficiency. © 1997 Taylor & Francis Group

Do positive thinking and meaning mediate the positive affect - life satisfaction relationship?

The authors tested whether positive cognitions mediated the relationships between positive affect and both meaning in life and life satisfaction, and whether meaning in life partially mediated the relationship between positive cognitions and life satisfaction, among 232 students and community-dwelling adults. Also tested was an alternative model in which positive affect mediated the relationships between positive cognitions and both meaning in life and life satisfaction, and in which meaning in life partially mediated the relationship between positive affect and life satisfaction. Supporting hypotheses and the literature, positive cognitions mediated the relationship between positive affect and meaning in life, and meaning in life partially mediated the relationship between positive cognitions and life satisfaction. Together, positive affect and positive cognitions accounted for 48% of the variance in meaning in life, and the model accounted for 62% of the variance in life satisfaction. © 2011 Canadian Psychological Association

Do positive thinking and meaning mediate the positive affect—Life satisfaction relationship?

The authors tested whether positive cognitions mediated the relationships between positive affect and both meaning in life and life satisfaction, and whether meaning in life partially mediated the relationship between positive cognitions and life satisfaction, among 232 students and community-dwelling adults. Also tested was an alternative model in which positive affect mediated the relationships between positive cognitions and both meaning in life and life satisfaction, and in which meaning in life partially mediated the relationship between positive affect and life satisfaction. Supporting hypotheses and the literature, positive cognitions mediated the relationship between positive affect and meaning in life, and meaning in life partially mediated the relationship between positive cognitions and life satisfaction. Together, positive affect and positive cognitions accounted for 48% of the variance in meaning in life, and the model accounted for 62% of the variance in life satisfaction. © 2011 Canadian Psychological Association

Meaning in Life, Emotion-Oriented Coping, Generalized Self-Efficacy, and Family Cohesion as Predictors of Family Satisfaction Among Mothers of Children With Disabilities

The authors tested whether self-efficacy, coping styles, family cohesion, and meaning in life predicted family satisfaction among 64 mothers of children with disabilities. They also examined whether meaning in life mediated the relationship between cohesion and family satisfaction or served as a resource whose effects on family satisfaction were mediated by coping and cohesion. Stress, meaning in life, emotion-oriented coping, and family cohesion predicted 31% of the variance in family satisfaction. Family cohesion fully mediated the relationships between stress, meaning in life, and emotion-oriented coping on one hand and family satisfaction on the other. Mothers with lower stress exhibited higher meaning; those utilizing less emotion-oriented coping had higher family cohesion. Mothers with higher family cohesion had higher family satisfaction. © 2008, SAGE Publications. All rights reserved