Coping, positive affect, and choices

Research examining the impact of affect on cognitive flexibility and coping has, in the past focused, on differences between positive and negative affect, but few studies have examined the impact of varying types of positive affect. Supporting theories for positive affect's influence on coping choices include the Broaden-and-Build Theory, the Affect Infusion Model, and the Hedonic Contingency Theory. The current dissertation examined the impact of two types of positive affect distinguished by Martin Seligman, including positive affect related to a Pleasant Event and a Meaningful Event.;An experimental design was utilized to examine how participants coping choices varied after being exposed to affect manipulating tasks. Results indicated that affect manipulation for participants in an experimental group was partially successful at increasing positive affect when compared to a control group. Participants reporting more positive affect were found to have a more Rational Coping style than those with less positive affect. Similarly, participants reporting greater negative affect reported greater use of Emotional Coping compared to those with lower reported levels of negative affect. Retaining the null hypothesis for the main question of this research study, no relationship was found between the Affect Manipulation type and the coping choices made. Implications for these findings and their limitations are discussed with regard to the specific results, clinical work, and the general population.