Date of Award
2020
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
Department
Psychology
Committee Chair
Eric Seemann
Committee Member
Aurora Torres
Committee Member
Nate Tenhundfeld
Subject(s)
College students--Mental health., Cognitive styles., Affect (Psychology), Toughness (Personality trait), Anxiety., Depression (Mental), Stress (Psychology)
Abstract
The current study aimed to determine whether cognitive style, positive affect (PA), negative affect (NA), and mental toughness (MT) were distinct but related constructs as well as to study the nature of the relationships between the three constructs, and their impact on non-clinical symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression. Participants completed a paper-pencil version of a measure that assessed cognitive style as well as three self-report questionnaires via Qualtrics that assessed positive and negative affect, individual’s MT, and symptoms of non-clinical depression, anxiety, and life stress. Results indicated that MT was positively related to PA and negatively related to NA. NA emerged as a positive predictor of stress, anxiety, and depression, whereas PA was a negative predictor of stress and depression. MT mediated the relationship between PA and stress. MT moderated the relationships between NA and stress, anxiety, and depression, respectively, as well as the relationship between PA and depression. Overall, affectivity and MT were related to non-clinical stress, anxiety, and depression.
Recommended Citation
Cabañas Garcia, Cristina M., "The impact of cognitive style, affectivity, and mental toughness on non-clinical symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression in college students" (2020). Theses. 350.
https://louis.uah.edu/uah-theses/350