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On the validity of stress mindset

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posted on 2022-03-28, 02:46 authored by Christopher J. Kilby
Stress mindset theory claims that beliefs about stress influence people’s responses to stressful situations. This research lacks empirical demonstrations of both concurrent validity and whether stress mindset can display characteristics attributable to a mindset. This thesis aimed to identify observable characteristics of a mindset, and to explore one characteristic in stress mindset, namely the stability of a mindset. Furthermore, this thesis extended the construct validity of stress mindset by assessing the relationship between stress mindset and perceived stress, trait anxiety, emotional management, and the Big Five personality traits. A literature review of mindset-related research identified four observable characteristics of mindsets, including that they: 1) are composed of a range of relevant beliefs; 2) influence one’s perceptions and responses to the mindset; 3) are stable over time; and, 4) are malleable with training. To assess the construct validity and stability of stress mindset a prospective online study was undertaken. Participants (N = 123) completed three online surveys over one month assessing stress mindset, personality, trait anxiety, perceived stress, and emotional management. Stress mindset demonstrated concurrent validity with trait anxiety, emotional management, perceived stress, openness, and neuroticism. Baseline stress mindset predicted stress mindset at both follow ups. These findings provide further evidence for the construct validity and stability of stress mindset. Additional research is required to identify the direction of effect between stress mindset and these constructs.

History

Alternative Title

Construct validity and stability of stress mindset.

Table of Contents

The nature of a mindset: a narrative review of mindset research applied to stress mindset -- Assessing the stability and construct validity of stress mindset: an empirical investigation.

Notes

Running title: Construct validity and stability of stress mindset. Empirical thesis. Bibliography: pages 54-65

Awarding Institution

Macquarie University

Degree Type

Thesis MRes

Degree

MRes, Macquarie University, Faculty of Human Sciences, Department of Psychology

Department, Centre or School

Department of Psychology

Year of Award

2015

Principal Supervisor

Kerry Anne Sherman

Rights

Copyright Christopher J. Kilby 2015. Copyright disclaimer: http://www.copyright.mq.edu.au

Language

English

Extent

1 online resource (vii, 98 pages)

Former Identifiers

mq:44802 http://hdl.handle.net/1959.14/1072281

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