Abstract

The present study examined the role of optimism, as measured by the Life Orientation Test-Revised, and coping styles, as measured by the COPE scale, in predicting negative affective conditions (viz., depressive symptoms, stress, and negative affect) among 386 Asian Indian young adults (197 females and 189 males). Results from our hierarchical regression analyses indicated that coping styles accounted for a medium-large amount of variance in negative affective conditions, after controlling for demographic factors (i.e. age, gender, parent’s education, and monthly income). Five coping styles were significant in predicting negative affective conditions across all three indices; mental disengagement, denial, and venting emotions were found to be maladaptive, while positive reinterpretation and humor were found to be adaptive among Asian Indian young adults. Furthermore, when optimism was included in the prediction model, optimism consistently accounted for additional variance in negative affective conditions, beyond coping styles. Due to the additional variance among negative affective conditions accounted for by optimism when compared to coping, we advise that mental health professionals consider prioritizing the reinforcement of positive expectancy in addition to enhancing adaptive coping styles and reducing the use of maladaptive coping among Asian Indians.

摘要

本研究检验了通过修订的生活取向测试衡量的乐观主义和通过 COPE 量表衡量的应对方式在预测 386 人中的消极情感状况（即抑郁症状、压力和消极情感）亚洲印度年轻人（197 名女性和 189 名男性）。我们的分层回归分析结果表明，在控制了人口因素（即年龄、性别、父母教育和月收入）后，应对方式在负面情感条件下的差异很大。五种应对方式在预测所有三个指数的负面情感状况方面都很重要；精神脱离、否认和发泄情绪被发现是适应不良的，而积极的重新解释和幽默被发现在亚洲印度年轻人中具有适应性。此外，当乐观被纳入预测模型时，乐观始终解释了消极情感条件下的额外差异，超出了应对方式。由于与应对相比，乐观导致的负面情感状况之间存在额外差异，我们建议心理健康专业人员除了增强适应性应对方式和减少亚洲印度人对适应不良应对的使用外，还应考虑优先加强积极预期。