Optimism and happiness in undergraduate students: Cognitive flexibility and adjustment to university life as mediators

• Demirtaş, Ayşe Sibel ^[1]
  1. [1] Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University
• Localización: Anales de psicología, ISSN-e 1695-2294, ISSN 0212-9728, Vol. 36, Nº. 2, 2020 (Ejemplar dedicado a: May - September), págs. 320-329
• Idioma: inglés
• DOI: 10.6018/analesps.381181
• Títulos paralelos:
  • Optimismo y felicidad en estudiantes de pregrado: flexibilidad cognitiva y adaptación a la vida universitaria como mediadores
• Enlaces
  • Texto completo
• Dialnet Métricas: 4 Citas
• Resumen
  • español

    De acuerdo con el objetivo del enfoque de psicología positiva, este estudio fue diseñado para construir un modelo de mediación múltiple que permita comprender mejor las relaciones entre optimismo, flexibilidad cognitiva, ajuste a la vida universitaria y felicidad. Un total de 386 estudiantes universitarios (64% mujeres y 36% hombres) entre 18-22 años participaron en el estudio. Los participantes fueron reclutados de una pequeña universidad en Turquía. El Test de Orientación de Vida, el Inventario de Flexibilidad Cognitiva, la Escala de Vida Universitaria y el Formulario Corto del Cuestionario de Felicidad de Oxford fueron utilizados como medidas. Los resultados mostraron que el optimismo, la flexibilidad cognitiva, el ajuste a la vida universitaria y la felicidad correlacionan positivamente. Los resultados de los análisis mediacionales también indicaron que la mediación múltiple en serie de la flexibilidad cognitiva y el ajuste a la vida universitaria en el modelo hipotético fue estadísticamente significativa y explicó aproximadamente el 50% de la varianza de la felicidad.

  • English

    In accordance with the goal of the positive psychology approach, this study was designed to build an understanding of the relationships among optimism, cognitive flexibility, adjustment to university life and happiness by proposing a multiple mediation model. A total of 386 undergraduates (64% female and 36% male) between 18-22 years participated in the study. The participants were recruited from a small university in Turkey. The Life Orientation Test, Cognitive Flexibility Inventory, University Life Scale, and Oxford Happiness Questionnaire Short Form were utilized as measures. The results showed that optimism, cognitive flexibility, adjustment to university life, and happiness positively correlated. The findings from the mediational analyses also indicated that the serial multiple mediation of cognitive flexibility and adjustment to university life in the hypothetical model was statistically significant and explained approximately 50% of the variance in happiness.

• Referencias bibliográficas
  • Al Jabari, R. M. (2012). Relationships among self-esteem, cognitive and psychological flexibility, and psychological symptomatology (Master...
  • Argyle, M., & Lu, L. (1990). The happiness of extraverts. Personal Individual Differences, 11(19), 1011-1017.
  • Arnett, J. J. (2000). Emerging adulthood: A theory of development from the late teens through the twenties. American Psychologist, 469-480.
  • Asıcı, E., & İkiz, F. (2015). A pathway to happiness: Cognitive flexibility. Mehmet Akif Ersoy University Educational Faculty Journal,...
  • Aslan, S. (2015). Development of Adjustment to University Life Scale. Hacettepe University Journal of Education, 30(04), 132-145.
  • Aydin, G., & Tezer, E. (1991). The relationships among optimism, physical health problems and academic achievement. Psychology Journal,...
  • Baker, R. W., & Siryk, B. (1984). Measuring adjustment to college. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 31, 179-189.
  • Baker, S. (2004). Intrinsic, extrinsic, and motivational orientations: Their role in university adjustment, stress, well-being, and subsequent...
  • Benn, I., Harvey, J. E., Gilbert, P., & Irons, C. (2005). Social rank, interpersonal trust and recall of parental rearing in relation...
  • Ben-Zur, H. (2003). Happy adolescents: The link between subjective wellbeing, internal resources, and parental factors. Journal of Youth and...
  • Bilgin, M. (2009). The predictive factors of cognitive flexibility. Çukurova University Faculty of Education Journal, 3 (36), 142-157.
  • Bilgin, M. (2017). Relations to five factor personality model with cognitive flexibility in adolescents. Electronic Journal of Social Sciences,...
  • Buote, V., Pancer, S., Pratt, M., Adams, G., Birnie-Lefcovitch, S., Polivy, J., & Wintre, G. M. (2007). The importance of friends, friendship...
  • Cabras, C., & Mondo, M. (2018). Coping strategies, optimism, and life satisfaction among first-year university students in Italy: Gender...
  • Cardom, R. D. (2016). The mediating role of cognitive flexibility on the relationship between cross-race interactions and psychological well-being...
  • Carver, C. S., & Scheier, M. F. (1990). Origins and functions of positive and negative affect: A control-process view. Psychological Review,...
  • Carver, C. S., & Scheier, M. F. (1999). Themes and issues in the selfregulation of behavior. In R. S. Wyer, Jr. (Ed.), Advances in social...
  • Carver, C. S, Scheier, M. F., & Segerstrom, S. C. (2010). Optimism. Clinical Psychological Review, 30(7), 879-89. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2010.01.006....
  • Carver, C. S., & Scheier, M. F. (2014). Dispositional optimism. Trends in Cognitive Sciences., 18(6), 293-299 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tics.2014.02.003....
  • Chang E. C. (1998). Dispositional optimism and primary and secondary appraisal of a stressor: controlling for confounding influences and relations...
  • Cheng, H. L. (2001). Causes and correlations of happiness and mental health among adolescents (Doctoral Dissertation). Retriewed from https://search.proquest.com/pqdtglobal/docview/1758963943/C709...
  • Choi,, J. (2016). Sustainable behavior: Study engagement and happiness among university students in South Korea. Sustainability, 8, 599.
  • Conversano, C., Rotondo, A., Lensi, E., Della, Vista O., Arpone, F., & Reda, M. A. (2010). Optimism and its impact on mental and physical...
  • Coups, E. J. (2003). A goal-based explanation of optimism’s effects on well-being (Doctoral dissertation). Retrieved from https://search.proquest.com/pqdtglobal/docview/305314121/fulltextPDF...
  • Cousins, L. A., Tomlinson, R. M., Cohen, L. L., & McMurtry, C. M. (2016). The power of optimism: Applying a positive psychology framework...
  • Credé, M., & Niehorster, S. (2012). Adjustment to college as measured by the student adaptation to college questionnaire: A quantitative...
  • Çikrıkci, Ö. (2018). The predictive roles of cognitive flexibility and error oriented motivation skills on life satisfaction. International...
  • Daukantaite, D., & Bergman, L. R. (2005). Childhood roots of women's subjective well-being: The role of optimism. European Psychologist,...
  • De Dreu, C. K. W., Baas, M., & Nijstad, B. A. (2008). Hedonic tone and activation in the mood–creativity link: Towards a dual pathway...
  • Demirtaş, A. S. (2018). The predictive roles of emotion regulation strategies and self-esteem on happiness. Turkish Studies, 13(11). https://doi.org/10.7827/TurkishStudies.13465....
  • Dennis, J. P., & Vander Wal, J. S. V. (2010). The cognitive flexibility inventory: Instrument development and estimates of reliability...
  • Diener, E (1984). Subjective well-being. Psychological Bulletin, 95(3), 542–75.
  • Doğan-Laçin, B. G. (2015). Predictive roles of self-efficacy and coping strategies in cognitive flexibility among university students (Master’s...
  • Doğan-Laçin, B. G., & Yalçın, İ. (2018). Predictive roles of self-efficacy and coping strategies in cognitive flexibility among university...
  • Doğan, T., & Akıncı-Çötok, N. (2011). Adaptation of the short form of the Oxford happiness questionnaire into Turkish: A validity and...
  • Doğan, T. (2013). The five factor personality traits and subjective wellbeing. Doğuş University Journal, 14(1), 56-64. Duy, B., & Yıldız,...
  • Dyson, R., & Renk, K. (2006). Freshmen adaptation to university life: Depressive symptoms, stress, and coping. Journal of Clinical Psychology,...
  • Elias, H., Noordin, N. & Mahyuddin, R. H. (2010). Achievement motivation and self-efficacy in relation to adjustment among university...
  • Fu, F., & Chow, A. (2017). Traumatic exposure and psychological wellbeing: The moderating role of cognitive flexibility. Journal of Loss...
  • Flynn D. & Macleod S. (2015). Determinants of happiness in undergraduate university students. College Student Journal, 49, 452-460.
  • Gabrys, R. L., Tabri, N., Anisman, H., & Matheson, K. (2018). Cognitive Control and Flexibility in the Context of Stress and Depressive...
  • Gore, S., & Aseltine, R. H. (2003). Race and ethnic differences in depressed mood following the transition from high school. Journal of...
  • Gurvis, J., & Calarco, A. (2007). Adaptability: Responding effectively to change. USA: Center for Creative Leadership.
  • Gülüm, İ. V., & Dağ, İ. (2012). The Turkish adaptation, validity and reliability study of The Repetitive Thinking Questionnaire and The...
  • Gürbüz, E. K. & Nartgün, Ş. S. (2018). Cognitive flexibility and self-efficacy levels of pedagogical formation program students. The Journal...
  • Halamandaris, K. F. & Power, K. G. (1997). Individual differences, dysfunctional attitudes, and social support: A study of the psychosocial...
  • Hanssen, M. M., Vancleef, L. M. G., Vlaeyen . W. S.,. Hayes, A. F., Schouten, E. G. W., & Peters, M. L. (2014). Optimism, motivational...
  • Hayes, A. F. (2009): Beyond Baron and Kenny: Statistical mediation analysis in the new millennium. Communication Monographs, 76(4), 408-420....
  • Hayes, A. F. (2017). Introduction to mediation, moderation, and conditional process analysis: A regression-based approach (2nd ed.). New York:...
  • Heo, J., Chun, S. Lee, S., & Kim, J. (2016). Life satisfaction and psychological well-being of older adults with cancer experience: The...
  • Herrmann, L. (2007). Adjustment to college: The role of optimism, coping strategies, and parental attachment. Pace University, ProQuest Dissertations...
  • Hills, P., & Argyle, M. (2002). The Oxford Happiness Questionnaire: A compact scale for the measurement of psychological well-being. Personality...
  • Hirt, E. R., Devers, E. E., & McCrea, S. M. (2008). I want to be creative: Exploring the role of hedonic contingency theory in the positive...
  • Isaacowitz D. M. (2001). Optimism and subjective well-being in adulthood and old age (Doctoral dissertation). Retriewed from https://search.proquest.com/pqdtglobal/docview/251113149/fulltextPDF...
  • Isen, A. M. (2000). An influence of positive affect on decision making in complex situations: Theoretical issues with practical implications....
  • Ji, H. & Zhang, L. (2011). Research on college students’ stresses and coping strategies. Asian Social Science, 7(10), 30-34.
  • Johnco C., Wuthrich V. M., Rapee R. M. (2014). The influence of cognitive flexibility on treatment outcome and cognitive restructuring skill...
  • Johnson, B. T. (2016). The relationship between cognitive flexibility, coping, and symptomatology in psychotherapy (Master thesis). Retriewed...
  • Johnson, K. J., Waugh, C. E., & Fredrickson, B. L. (2010). Smile to see the forest: Facially expressed positive emotions broaden cognition....
  • Kaba, İ., & Keklik, İ. (2016). Students adaptation to university life, resilience and psychological symptoms. Hacettepe University Graduate...
  • Kato, T. (2012). Development of the Coping Flexibility Scale: Evidence for the coping flexibility hypothesis. Journal of Counseling Psychology,...
  • Koesten, J., Schrodt, P., & Ford, D. J. (2009) Cognitive flexibility as a mediator of family communication environments and young adults'...
  • Krypel, M. N., & Henderson-King, D. (2010). Stress, coping styles, and optimism: Are they related to meaning of education in students’...
  • Lee, D. & Padilla, A. (2015). Predicting South Korean university students’ happiness through social support and efficacy beliefs. International...
  • Leung, B. W., Moneta, G. B. & McBride-Chang, C. (2005). Think positively and feel positively: Optimism and life satisfaction in late life....
  • Lin, Y. (2013). The effects of cognitive flexibility and openness to change on college students' academic performance (Master’s thesis)....
  • Linley, P. A., Maltby, J., Wood, A. M., Osborne, G., & Hurling, R. (2009). Measuring happiness: The higher order factor structure of subjective...
  • Marrero, R. J., Carballeira, M. & González, J. A. (2014). Relationship between subjective well-being, optimism and demographic variables...
  • Martin, M., & Anderson, C. (1998). The Cognitive Flexibility Scale: Three validity studies. Communication Reports, 11, 1-9. https://doi.10.1080/08934219809367680....
  • Matthews, E. E., & Cook, P. (2009). Relationships among optimism, wellbeing, self-transcendence, coping, and social support in women during...
  • Mroczek, D. K., & Kolarz, C. M. (1998). The effect of age on positive and negative affect: A developmental perspective on happiness. Journal...
  • Nowell, C. (2017). The influence of motivational orientation on the satisfaction of university students. Teaching in Higher Education, 22(7),...
  • Nurttila, S., Ketonen, E., & Lonka, K. (2015). Sense of competence and optimism as resources to promote academic engagement. Procedia...
  • Önen, A. S., & Koçak, C. (2015). The effect of cognitive flexibility on higher school students’ study strategies. Procedia - Social and...
  • Pacheco, B., & Kamble, D. S. (2016). The role of optimism in stress and coping of undergraduate students in Goa. The International Journal...
  • Perera, H. N., & McIlveen, P. (2014). The role of optimism and engagement coping in college adaptation: A career construction model. Journal...
  • Peterson, C. (2000). The future of optimism. The American Psychologist, 55, 44-55. https://doi.10.1037/0003-066X.55.1.44.
  • Preacher, K., & Hayes, A. (2008). Asymptotic and resampling strategies for assessing and comparing indirect effects in multiple mediator...
  • Pritchard, M. E., Wilson, G. S., & Yamnitz, B. (2007). What predicts adjustment among college student? Journal of American College Health,...
  • Rahat, E., & İlhan, T. (2015). Coping styles, social support, relational selfconstrual, and resilience in predicting students’ adjustment...
  • Rubin, R., & Martin, M. (1994). Development of a measure of interpersonal competence. Communication Research Reports, 11, 33-44. https://doi.10.1080/08824099409359938....
  • Ryff, C. D. (1989). Happiness is everything, or is it? Explorations on the meaning of psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and...
  • Sahai, A., & Singh, A. (2017). A correlation study: The relationship between optimism and subjective well-being of education sector employees....
  • Sapmaz, F., & Doğan, T. (2013). Assessment of cognitive flexibility: Reliability and validity studies of Turkish version of the Cognitive...
  • Shapira, L. B., & Mongrain, M. (2010). The benefits of self-compassion and optimism exercises for individuals vulnerable to depression.The...
  • Scheier, M. F., & Carver, C. S. (1985). Optimism, coping, and health: Assessment and implications of generalized outcome expectancies....
  • Scheier, M. F., & Carver, C. S. (1988). A model of behavioral self-regulation: Translating intention into action. Advances in Experimental...
  • Scheier, M. F., & Carver, C. S. (1992). Effects of optimism on psychological and physical well-being: Theoretical overview and empirical...
  • Scheier, M. F., Carver, C. S., & Bridges, M. W. (1994). Distinguishing optimism from neuroticism (and trait anxiety, self-mastery, and...
  • Seligman, M. E. P. (1990). Learned optimism. New York: Knopf. Seligman, M. E. (2002). Authentic happiness: Using the new positive psychology’...
  • Seligman, M. E., & Csikszentmihalyi, M. (2000). Positive psychology: An introduction. American Psychologist, 55(1), 5-14. https://doi.10.1037/0003-...
  • Shields, N. (2001) Stress, active coping and academic performance among persisting and non-persisting college students. Journal of Applied...
  • Sürücü, M., & Bacanlı, F. (2010). An examination of university adjustment according to psychological hardiness and demographic variables....
  • Stevens, A. D. (2009). Social problem-solving and cognitive flexibility: Relations to social skills and problem behavior of at-risk young...
  • Pearson, Boston Tamir, M. (2009) What do people want to feel and why? Pleasure and utility in emotion regulation. Current Directions in Psychological...
  • Theobald, T., & Cooper, C. (2012). Doing the right thing the importance of wellbeing in the workplace. Palgrave Macmillan, London. Vazquez,...
  • Wimberly, S. R., Carver, C. S., & Antoni, M. H., (2008). Effects of optimism, interpersonal relationships, and distress on psychosexual...
  • World Health Organization (2004). Promoting mental health: Concepts emerging evidence and practice. Summary report, World Health Organization,...
  • Yue, X. D., Hao, X., & Goldman, G. L. (2010). Humor styles, dispositional optimism and mental health, among undergraduates in Hong Kong...
  • Zhang, J. H. (2011). Relationships between cognitive flexibility and coping strategies of high school students (Master’s Thesis). Retriewed...
  • Ziapour, A., Khatony, A., Jafari, F. & Kianipour, N. (2018). Correlation of personality traits with happiness among university students....