title: Does Leisure Time as a Stress Coping Resource Increase Affective Complexity? Applying the Dynamic Model of Affect (DMA).
abstract: Affective complexity, a manifestation of psychological well-being, refers to the relative independence between positive and negative affect (PA, NA). According to the Dynamic Model of Affect (DMA), stressful situations lead to highly inverse PA-NA relationship, reducing affective complexity. Meanwhile, positive events can sustain affective complexity by restoring PA-NA independence. Leisure, a type of positive events, has been identified as a coping resource. This study used the DMA to assess whether leisure time helps restore affective complexity on stressful days. We found that on days with more leisure time than usual, an individual experienced less negative PA-NA relationship after daily stressful events. The finding demonstrates the value of leisure time as a coping resource and the DMA's contribution to coping research.
authors.affiliation: Department of Forest Resources, College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities.
authors.forename: Xinyi Lisa
authors.initials: XL
authors.lastname: Qian
authors.affiliation: Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Management, College of Health and Human Development, The Pennsylvania State University.
authors.forename: Careen M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Yarnal
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Development and Family Studies, College of Health and Human Development, The Pennsylvania State University.
authors.forename: David M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Almeida
keywords: The Dynamic Model of Affect (DMA); coping; daily stress; leisure time; within-person change