Personal determinants of positive states and stress in psychology students ²⁰²¹

We report study results of personality characteristics as predictors of positive states (active, optimistic, emotional, subjective comfort) and stress experience in adults with one higher education and ongoing training in Psychology. The respondents were 107 people aged 23 to 52 years. Diagnostic methods we used were: "SMIL" (L. Sobchik), Optimism and Activity Scale (adapted by E. Vodopyanova), C. Izard Differential Emotions Scale (adapted by A. Leonova), Subjective Comfort Scale (adapted by A. Leonova), PSM-25 Scale by Lemyr-Tessier-Fillion. The regression analysis revealed that in subjects ongoing training in Psychology, basic predictor of positive emotions and stress experience is anxiety. Cluster analysis revealed three types of subjects by their positive states experiences, which differ primarily by the level of baseline anxiety and related personality characteristics. The group of risk comprised Psychology students with a tendency to depression and negative emotions and specific personality profile.

Keywords: personality traits, positive states, psychological stress, subjective comfort, activity, optimism, emotion.

Column: Developmental Psychology