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The positivity ratio and functioning under stress
Author(s) -
Shrira Amit,
Palgi Yuval,
Wolf Jonathan Jacob,
Haber Yeela,
Goldray Orit,
ShachamShmueli Einat,
BenEzra Menachem
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
stress and health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.009
H-Index - 61
eISSN - 1532-2998
pISSN - 1532-3005
DOI - 10.1002/smi.1349
Subject(s) - psychology , affect (linguistics) , coping (psychology) , clinical psychology , communication
The positivity ratio reflects the ratio of positive affect to negative affect. In two studies, the authors investigated the relationship between positivity ratio and functioning under stress. Study 1 examined gastric cancer patients ( N = 123) and Study 2 explored hospital personnel exposed to missile attacks ( N = 84). In both studies, there was a curvilinear relationship between positivity ratio and functioning. As the positivity ratio increased there was a steep decrease in maladaptive functioning. The decrease in maladaptive functioning leveled at around a ratio of three, from which point maladaptive functioning stayed the same, or even started to mildly ascend, till the maximum positivity ratio score. Taken together, this finding indicates that a moderate positivity ratio is sufficient for optimal functioning at the midst of stress. Implications for the role of affect in coping with stress are discussed. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.