Do implicit theories of happiness and well-being predict adaptive responses to stress?
Abstract/Contents
- Abstract
- An accumulating body of research shows that stress negatively impacts individuals' mental and physical health, heightening depression and anxiety (e.g., Sapolosky, 1994; Willner, 1997); vulnerability to viral infections (e.g., Slavich & Cole, 2013); and inflammation, unfavorable gene expression, and impaired immune functioning (e.g., Spools, 1994; Slavich & Cole, 2013). Research suggests that coping strategies are an important predictor of the effect of stressors on an individual (e.g., Dumont & Provost, 1998; Folkman & Lazarus, 1985; Seiffge-Krenke, 2000). This dissertation investigates whether differences in implicit theories of well-being (or beliefs that well-being is malleable or fixed) are related to the coping strategies that individuals endorse. Specifically, it was hypothesized that holding a malleable theory of psychological well-being would lead people to endorse and engage in more adaptive coping behaviors in the face of stress. It was also hypothesized that believing that well-being is malleable would make people more interested in learning about and improving their well-being and happiness. The present research investigated these hypotheses in a series of three studies. Study 1 investigated whether those with a more malleable conception of well-being would be more likely to endorse adaptive responses to stressful scenarios. Building on Study 1, Study 2 investigated whether those taught to have a more malleable vs. fixed conception of well-being would be more likely to 1) endorse adaptive responding to stressful situations and 2) show interest in learning about well-being, stress and happiness. Study 3 investigated whether those given a more malleable vs. fixed conception of well-being would be more likely to embrace goals and priorities allowing them to improve their levels of happiness and well-being and take advantage of an opportunity to relieve situationally-induced stress with a mindfulness exercise. Implications for fostering greater overall well-being and more adaptive responses to stress are discussed.
Description
| Type of resource | text |
|---|---|
| Form | electronic; electronic resource; remote |
| Extent | 1 online resource. |
| Publication date | 2014 |
| Issuance | monographic |
| Language | English |
Creators/Contributors
| Associated with | Russell, Alexandra |
|---|---|
| Associated with | Stanford University, Department of Psychology. |
| Primary advisor | Dweck, Carol S, 1946- |
| Thesis advisor | Dweck, Carol S, 1946- |
| Thesis advisor | Carstensen, Laura L |
| Thesis advisor | Cohen, Geoffrey |
| Thesis advisor | Heaney, Catherine (Catherine Ann) |
| Thesis advisor | Mueller, Claudia Meta |
| Thesis advisor | Robinson, Thomas |
| Advisor | Carstensen, Laura L |
| Advisor | Cohen, Geoffrey |
| Advisor | Heaney, Catherine (Catherine Ann) |
| Advisor | Mueller, Claudia Meta |
| Advisor | Robinson, Thomas |
Subjects
| Genre | Theses |
|---|
Bibliographic information
| Statement of responsibility | Alexandra G. Russell. |
|---|---|
| Note | Submitted to the Department of Psychology. |
| Thesis | Thesis (Ph.D.)--Stanford University, 2014. |
| Location | electronic resource |
Access conditions
- Copyright
- © 2014 by Alexandra Gatherer Russell
- License
- This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial 3.0 Unported license (CC BY-NC).
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