The effects of affectivites over the relationship of dispositional optimism with life satisfaction of university students
Abstract
This study investigates whether positive and negative affects (affectivities) mediate and moderate the relationship between dispositional optimism and life satisfaction based on a survey of 855 Çukurova University students. For this purpose, the significance of indirect and interaction effects of positive and negative affects are estimated. Nonparametric Spearman correlation analysis showed significant correlations between optimism,affects and life satisfaction. Hierarchical regression analysis is performed to determine whether the affect is potential mediator and moderator variable. A structural model which shows the life satisfaction relationship with optimism through components of positive and negative affects estimated. The significance of the indirect effects of optimismistested to examine the mediating role of the affects. Hierarchical regression analysis results showed that the affects significantly predicted life satisfaction above and beyond optimism(F(2,851)=76.21, ∆R2=.120, p<.001). The maximum likelihood estimation results indicated significance of indirect effect of optimismvia affects. That is, the affects significantly mediated optimism(z=11.12, p<.001) over life satisfaction. Hierarchical regression analysis revealed that the mediation was partial and that PA was a moderator. Marginal analysis further showed that particularly being moderately alert and being moderately enthusiastic were moderators.
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