Thriving as a function of affective personality: relation to personality factors, coping strategies and stress

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to assess whether or not there existed an association between different types of affective personality and posttraumatic growth. Ninety individuals, 46 food product employees and 44 flying squad policemen, responded to Positive and Negative Affect Scales (PANAS) and Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI). The results indicated a greater “thriving” ability by the High Affective personality type (high PA and high NA) compared with the Self-destructive (low PA and high NA) and Low affective (low PA and low NA) types. The Self-actualizing (high PA and low NA) showed an intermediary response. Furthermore, a trend test presented a continuum describing affective personality and PTGI (i.e., from lowest to highest level: Self-destructive–Low affective–Self-actualizing–High affective). There was no significant difference between the flying squad policemen and the food product employees in regard to PTGI.

Keywords:

• Affectivity
• affective personality
• posttraumatic growth
• stress
• thriving

Acknowledgments

This study was supported by grants from the County Council (Landstinget) in Värmland (LiV).