Popis: |
The positivity ratio reflects the ratio of positive affect to negative affect. In two studies, the authors investigated the relationship between positivity ratio and functioning under stress. Study 1 examined gastric cancer patients (N = 123) and Study 2 explored hospital personnel exposed to missile attacks (N = 84). In both studies, there was a curvilinear relationship between positivity ratio and functioning. As the positivity ratio increased there was a steep decrease in maladaptive functioning. The decrease in maladaptive functioning leveled at around a ratio of three, from which point maladaptive functioning stayed the same, or even started to mildly ascend, till the maximum positivity ratio score. Taken together, this finding indicates that a moderate positivity ratio is sufficient for optimal functioning at the midst of stress. Implications for the role of affect in coping with stress are discussed. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. |