Hardiness Flashcards
What is the definition of hardiness?
A personality factor used to explain why some people seem able to thrive in stressful circumstances.
Who proposed the idea of hardiness?
Kobasa
What are the three dimensions of hardiness? (3 Cs)
Commitment
Challenge
Control
What is commitment in hardiness?
Hardy people are deeply involved in their relationships, activities, and their selves. They throw themselves wholeheartedly into what life has to offer, optimistic they will get something valuable out of it.
What is challenge in hardiness?
They are resilient and welcome to change as an opportunity or a challenge rather than as a threat. Stressful situations help us learn, which is more fulfilling than retreating into comfort and an easy life.
What is control in hardiness?
Hardy people have a strong belief they are in charge of events. Even if events are stressful, they actively strive to influence their environments rather than becoming powerless and passive observers of life passing them by.
Which was the procedure used by Kobasa in research into hardiness?
Measured life changes of 670 male American middle and senior managers aged between 40 and 49 years. Used Schedule of Recent Experiences to identify those who experienced high levels of stress over previous 3 years. Found some wide variations when looking at absenteeism records and levels of illness.
What did Kobasa find in research into hardiness?
Managers didn’t all respond to same degree of stress in same way. Some appeared to be more resilient because they could tolerate high levels of stress without becoming ill or taking time off work. This subset of resilient managers scored highly on the Three Cs.
What was the procedure of Maddi’s research into hardiness?
Spent several years studying 400 managers and supervisors at the Bell Telephone company in the US. Company underwent one of the biggest reorganisations in American corporate history. Thousands of people lost their jobs and was extremely stressful for employees who stayed with the company.
What were the findings of Maddi’s research into hardiness?
Significant declines in performance and health in about 2/3 of participants, outcomes included heart attacks, strokes, depression and drug abuse. A third of managers flourished: their health did not deteriorate, they felt happier and more fulfilled at work than ever and seemed to be rejuvenated by the whole stressful experience. They welcomed reorganisation as a challenge over which they could exercise control, and made it work for themselves.
