Optimism and depressive symptoms in an adult lifespan sample: evaluating coping in daily life as a mechanism
Hammond,Daria Ong,Lydia Q. Morstead,Talia DeLongis,Anita Sin,Nancy L. Klaiber,Patrick
Hammond,Daria
Ong,Lydia Q.
Morstead,Talia
DeLongis,Anita
Sin,Nancy L.
Klaiber,Patrick
Abstract
Objectives Dispositional optimism is a protective factor for mental health, but the mechanisms behind this relationship are unclear. Previous literature suggests coping may be involved. Optimism may impact how often and how flexibly one employs problem-focused, support-seeking, or cognitive strategies when coping with daily stressors, possibly contributing to mental health differences. We examined whether coping strategy use mediated the relationship between optimism and changes in depressive symptoms. Methods and Measures A community-based sample of 240 adults completed baseline assessments of optimism and depressive symptoms, followed by a 2-week experience sampling period where participants reported daily stressors and stressor-specific coping strategy use 4× daily. Participants then completed another questionnaire measuring depressive symptoms. Results Optimism predicted reductions in depressive symptoms from baseline to follow-up, but this was not mediated by coping strategy frequency or flexibility (p values > .05). Follow-up analyses demonstrated that optimism was related to lower depressive symptoms among younger and middle-aged and not among older adults, but no differences emerged during multiple group mediation analyses. Coping strategy use also had no direct effect on depressive symptoms (p values > .05). Conclusion Our study supports the protective role of optimism on depressive symptoms even over a short-term period, but research on mechanisms such as coping efficacy is warranted.
Description
Date
2025-05-18
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Research Projects
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Journal Issue
Keywords
Stress, coping flexibility, coping frequency, optimism, experience sampling, daily life
Citation
Hammond, D, Ong, L Q, Morstead, T, DeLongis, A, Sin, N L & Klaiber, P 2025, 'Optimism and depressive symptoms in an adult lifespan sample : evaluating coping in daily life as a mechanism', Psychology & Health. https://doi.org/10.1080/08870446.2025.2505909
License
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess