title: Positive psychological states and anxiety: the mediating effect of proactive coping.
abstract: The current study examined the mediating role of proactive coping in the relationship between positive psychological states like optimism and self-esteem and trait anxiety. 204 undergraduate students completed measures of optimism, self-esteem, and trait anxiety, together with the proactive coping subscale of the Proactive Coping Inventory (PCI). Mediated effects were explored using a series of regression analyses and were confirmed through bootstrapping procedures. Results revealed that proactive coping was a partial mediator in the relationship between both optimism and self-esteem and trait anxiety. Findings indicated that proactive coping enhances a perspective on life that involves a positive attitude toward future events in the form of optimistic expectancies and enhanced feelings of self-worth. Implications of the findings for clinical practice and mental health promotion are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Panteion University, 136 Syngrou Av., 176 71 Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Fay
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Griva
authors.forename: Fotios
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Anagnostopoulos
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology*; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012649:Self Concept; D055815:Young Adult