Stability of Optimism and Choice of Coping Strategy

Abstract

Dispositional optimism and choice of coping strategies were measured twice to test the hypothesis that optimists and pessimists routinely use different methods of coping with stressful events and that these choices are stable over time. 82 participants completed a measure of optimism (LOT) and of coping strategy choice (COPE) at each of two sessions, four weeks apart. Repeated-measures t tests showed that overall the self-reports of dispositional optimism and all 15 coping strategy factors were stable over the four-week period. In addition, all 16 scales were significantly related to the first administration at follow-up. Regarding the relation between the 15 coping factors and optimism, five remained significantly correlated with optimism at both testings, five remained uncorrelated with optimism at both testings, and five showed minor changes in magnitude of their correlation (and statistical significance) at both testings.