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Optimism, Motivational Coping and Well-being: Evidence Supporting the Importance of Flexible Goal Adjustment

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  • M. Hanssen
  • L. Vancleef
  • J. Vlaeyen
  • A. Hayes
  • E. Schouten
  • M. Peters

Abstract

It has repeatedly been shown that dispositional optimism, a generalized positive outcome expectancy, is associated with greater physical and psychological well-being. Coping has been proposed to mediate this purportedly causal relationship. From an expectancy-value perspective on motivation, optimists’ confidence leads them to tenaciously pursue goals. However, the ability to flexibly adjust goals might serve optimists’ ability to deal with adversity particularly well. This study investigated motivational coping (tenacious goal pursuit and flexible goal adjustment) as the mechanism linking dispositional optimism to several indices of well-being (general well-being, depression, anxiety and physical complaints) by means of a questionnaire study in the general population. Results of this study confirmed that motivational coping—primarily in the form of flexible goal adjustment—mediates the relationship between optimism and all indices of well-being except physical complaints. Furthermore, coping by flexibly adjusting one’s goals is generally a more prominent pathway to well-being than tenaciously pursuing those goals. Copyright The Author(s) 2015

Suggested Citation

  • M. Hanssen & L. Vancleef & J. Vlaeyen & A. Hayes & E. Schouten & M. Peters, 2015. "Optimism, Motivational Coping and Well-being: Evidence Supporting the Importance of Flexible Goal Adjustment," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 16(6), pages 1525-1537, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jhappi:v:16:y:2015:i:6:p:1525-1537
    DOI: 10.1007/s10902-014-9572-x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Carver, Charles S. & Scheier, Michael F., 2000. "Scaling back goals and recalibration of the affect system are processes in normal adaptive self-regulation: understanding 'response shift' phenomena," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 50(12), pages 1715-1722, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Eleonora Crapolicchio & Vincenza Cinquegrana & Camillo Regalia, 2023. "The Role of Positivity on Depressive Symptoms in Women Seeking Help for Intimate Partner Violence," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(22), pages 1-16, November.
    2. Michal Biron & Hilla Peretz & Keren Turgeman-Lupo, 2020. "Trait Optimism and Work from Home Adjustment in the COVID-19 Pandemic: Considering the Mediating Role of Situational Optimism and the Moderating Role of Cultural Optimism," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(22), pages 1-21, November.
    3. Kathrin Heinitz & Timo Lorenz & Daniel Schulze & Julia Schorlemmer, 2018. "Positive organizational behavior: Longitudinal effects on subjective well-being," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(6), pages 1-15, June.
    4. Veljko Jovanović & Dylan Molenaar & Vesna Gavrilov-Jerković & Milica Lazić, 2021. "Positive Expectancies and Subjective Well-Being: A Prospective Study Among Undergraduates in Serbia," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 22(3), pages 1239-1258, March.
    5. Peter J. Jankowski & Sam Murphy & Jaclyn Johnson & Steven J. Sandage & David C. Wang & James Tomlinson, 2022. "The Influence of Experiential Avoidance, Humility and Patience on the Association Between Religious/Spiritual Exploration and Well-Being," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 23(5), pages 2137-2156, June.

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