title: The possible benefits of difficulty: how stress can increase and decrease subjective well-being.
abstract: This study explores the effects of stress, trauma, coping and growth orientation on subjective well-being. Based on cognitive stress theory, it was hypothesized that adversity may contribute to increased or decreased well-being, depending on the subsequent meaning these experiences are given. Survey data from Norwegian UN/NATO veterans (N= 142) showed that stress and well-being were negatively associated (r=-0.20, p < 0.05) at the level of zero-order correlations. However, a full structural equation model revealed that the effect of stress on well-being was mediated positively through a problem-focused coping process combined with a growth component. Stress was negatively mediated through an avoidant-focused coping process and a distress component. The effect from stress was fully mediated in the model. The hypothesis that stress can produce both increased and decreased subjective well-being was confirmed.
authors.affiliation: Center for Children and Adolescents, Arendal, Norway.
authors.forename: Elin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Karlsen
authors.forename: Ragnhild
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dybdahl
authors.forename: Joar
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vittersø
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001290:Attitude; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology