The role of dispositional optimism in college adaptation: testing a model of direct and indirect relations

Paper

Perera, Harsha N.. 2013. "The role of dispositional optimism in college adaptation: testing a model of direct and indirect relations." Poropat, Arthur (ed.) 12th Australian Conference on Personality and Individual Differences (ACPID 2013). Brisbane, Australia 22 - 23 Nov 2013
Paper/Presentation Title

The role of dispositional optimism in college adaptation: testing a model of direct and indirect relations

Presentation TypePaper
Authors
AuthorPerera, Harsha N.
EditorsPoropat, Arthur
Journal or Proceedings TitleProceedings of the 12th Australian Conference on Personality and Individual Differences (ACPID 2013)
Year2013
Conference/Event12th Australian Conference on Personality and Individual Differences (ACPID 2013)
Event Details
12th Australian Conference on Personality and Individual Differences (ACPID 2013)
Event Date
22 to end of 23 Nov 2013
Event Location
Brisbane, Australia
Abstract

The present research proposes a theoretical model linking dispositional optimism, social support, engagement coping and adaptation to the college transition. This model was tested in a short-term longitudinal study with a sample of incoming college undergraduates (N = 246). The resultant data were largely consistent with the study's hypotheses and supported the a priori model. In structural equations analyses, optimism was shown to be a direct, prospective predictor of higher perceived social support, the greater use of engagement coping and better academic and psychological adaptation to the college transition. Further, empirical tests of mediation revealed that the relations of optimism with academic and psychological adaptation were mediated in part by engagement coping and perceived social support, respectively. These direct and indirect associations were found to be robust when controlling for extraversion and neuroticism.

Keywordsoptimism; college adaptation; coping; social support; mediation; indirect effects; bootstrapping
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020520102. Educational psychology
529999. Other psychology not elsewhere classified
390404. Educational counselling
Byline AffiliationsFaculty of Education
Institution of OriginUniversity of Southern Queensland
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