Segerstorm et al Flashcards
What was the aim?
The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between optimism and various other things such as mood, coping, and immune change in response to stress
How was the sample selected?
UCLA school of law mailed recruitment packets for the study to the individuals who are going to attend. In the packet there was a description of the study, consent form, and information about human rights in experiments. The individuals who agreed to participate in the study signed and returned the consent form, telephone information and screening questionnaire.
What was the final sample?
Out of 350 students 105 students returned the screening materials in time to be in the study. Individuals were excluded from participating in the study if certain conditions were met. Of the 105 eligible students only 99 of them returned the questionnaires. Overall the final participant count was 90 first year law students with an average age of 23 years old.
When was the data collected?
Data was collected two different times. The first round of data was collected 2 weeks before the start of law school and the first day of classes. The second round of data was collected at 2 weeks of mid semester.
What was the procedure?
- Measure dispositional optimism by LOT.
- Blood drawn
- Measured situational optimism for example: it is likely I will fail. (5 negatives and 5 positives).
- Coping measurements.
- Mood measurement using profile of mood states. rating statements of how much they have been feeling a certain mood.
What were the results of the study?
the results showed that mood changed from the first time they collected data to the second time. Furthermore the optimism was related to a better mood. Situational optimism was related with more stress and less sleep. Both types of optimism were related to avoidance coping.
