The Role of ‘Positivity’ and Big Five Traits during the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Italian National Representative Survey

IF 3.1 2区心理学 Q1 PSYCHOLOGY, MULTIDISCIPLINARY

Journal of Happiness Studies Pub Date : 2023-11-25 DOI:10.1007/s10902-023-00705-8

Antonio Zuffianò, Gianvittorio Caprara, Manuel Zamparini, Gemma Calamandrei, Valentina Candini, Matteo Malvezzi, Martha Scherzer, Fabrizio Starace, Cristina Zarbo, Giovanni de Girolamo

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background

COVID-19 pandemic has seen a rise in psychological problems. However, little is known about the role of positivity and personality traits in facing the pandemic. Therefore, we aimed at investigating whether higher positivity was associated with a better emotional, behavioural and cognitive response to COVID-19, taking into account the role of the big five traits.

Methods

We performed a cross-sectional multiple waves study with 5,002 participants representative of the Italian general population (May 2021 and March 2022). The Ten Item Personality Inventory was used for the evaluation of the big five traits, while the Positivity Scale for the assessment of positivity. Statistical analyses included linear regression models and Principal Component Analysis (PCA).

Results

The main predictors of Preventive behaviours of COVID-19 were Conscientiousness (β=0.100, p<0.001) and Agreeableness (β=0.117, p<0.001), while the main predictor in explaining self-efficacy in preventing COVID-19 infection was Positivity (β=0.141, p<0.001). Neuroticism (β=-0.186, p<0.001) and Positivity (β=0.094, p<0.001) predicted the Affective response related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Discussion

Positivity has a protective role in buffering the negative effects of the pandemic on people’s affective response, as well as supporting stronger self-efficacy and confidence about the usefulness of the vaccine, and higher preventive behaviours, over and above personality traits. The results of the sensitivity analysis using the first two components of the big five traits Communion and Agency confirmed the results of the linear regressions of the big five traits: communion is the main predictor of Preventive behaviours of COVID-19, while self-efficacy of preventing COVID-19 infection.

Discussion

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“积极”和五大特征在COVID-19大流行中的作用:一项意大利全国代表性调查

背景2019冠状病毒病大流行导致心理问题增加。然而，人们对积极和个性特征在面对大流行中的作用知之甚少。因此，我们的目的是研究更高的积极性是否与对COVID-19更好的情绪、行为和认知反应有关，同时考虑到五大特征的作用。方法:我们在2021年5月和2022年3月对5002名意大利普通人群进行了横断面多波研究。十项人格量表用于评估五大特征，而积极性量表用于评估积极性。统计分析包括线性回归模型和主成分分析(PCA)。结果预防行为的主要预测因子为责任心(β=0.100, p<0.001)和宜人性(β=0.117, p<0.001)，预防感染自我效能感的主要预测因子为积极性(β=0.141, p<0.001)。神经质(β=-0.186, p<0.001)和阳性(β=0.094, p<0.001)预测与COVID-19大流行相关的情感反应。积极具有保护作用，可以缓冲大流行对人们情感反应的负面影响，并支持更强的自我效能感和对疫苗有用性的信心，以及高于人格特征的更高的预防行为。利用“共融”和“代理”五大特征的前两个分量进行敏感性分析的结果证实了“共融”五大特征的线性回归结果:共融是COVID-19预防行为的主要预测因子，而自我效能感是预防COVID-19感染的主要预测因子。积极具有保护作用，可以缓冲大流行对人们情感反应的负面影响，并支持更强的自我效能感和对疫苗有用性的信心，以及高于人格特征的更高的预防行为。

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来源期刊

Journal of Happiness Studies Multiple-

CiteScore

8.60

自引率

6.50%

发文量

110

期刊介绍： The international peer-reviewed Journal of Happiness Studies is devoted to theoretical and applied advancements in all areas of well-being research. It covers topics referring to both the hedonic and eudaimonic perspectives characterizing well-being studies. The former includes the investigation of cognitive dimensions such as satisfaction with life, and positive affect and emotions. The latter includes the study of constructs and processes related to optimal psychological functioning, such as meaning and purpose in life, character strengths, personal growth, resilience, optimism, hope, and self-determination. In addition to contributions on appraisal of life-as-a-whole, the journal accepts papers investigating these topics in relation to specific domains, such as family, education, physical and mental health, and work. The journal welcomes high-quality theoretical and empirical submissions in the fields of economics, psychology and sociology, as well as contributions from researchers in the domains of education, medicine, philosophy and other related fields. The Journal of Happiness Studies provides a forum for three main areas in happiness research: 1) theoretical conceptualizations of well-being, happiness and the good life; 2) empirical investigation of well-being and happiness in different populations, contexts and cultures; 3) methodological advancements and development of new assessment instruments. The journal addresses the conceptualization, operationalization and measurement of happiness and well-being dimensions, as well as the individual, socio-economic and cultural factors that may interact with them as determinants or outcomes. Central Questions include, but are not limited to: Conceptualization: What meanings are denoted by terms like happiness and well-being? How do these fit in with broader conceptions of the good life? Operationalization and Measurement: Which methods can be used to assess how people feel about life? How to operationalize a new construct or an understudied dimension in the well-being domain? What are the best measures for investigating specific well-being related constructs and dimensions? Prevalence and causality Do individuals belonging to different populations and cultures vary in their well-being ratings? How does individual well-being relate to social and economic phenomena (characteristics, circumstances, behavior, events, and policies)? What are the personal, social and economic determinants and causes of individual well-being dimensions? Evaluation: What are the consequences of well-being for individual development and socio-economic progress? Are individual happiness and well-being worthwhile goals for governments and policy makers? Does well-being represent a useful parameter to orient planning in physical and mental healthcare, and in public health? Interdisciplinary studies: How has the study of happiness developed within and across disciplines? Can we link philosophical thought and empirical research? What are the biological correlates of well-being dimensions?