Abstract
Objective: The aim of the present paper is to explain the construct of optimism in relation to coping strategies. Furthermore, we researched about the possibilities to improve situational optimism in a notional case study.
Method: Transactional theory of stress and coping by Lazarus (1982) is the initial point of this paper. We explained appraisal and coping processes and pointed out, that optimism is a needful resource to overcome demanding situations. In the following notional case study, with a young wrestler we used the Life Orientation Test (Scheier & Carver, 1994) and the CAVE-Technique to analyze optimism status. Afterwards we generated hermeneutic ideas to improve the given situational optimism status.
Results: A four stadium model, including reflection-, confirmation-, implementation- and re-evaluation phase was created to increase situational optimism. With this, it was possible to reach higher control abilities and optimism.
Conclusions: Situational optimism is improvable with the help of the given model. Therefore it is important to re-appraise the outcome to develop adaptation and transformation. Probably it is possible to transfuse situational optimism to dispositional optimism.
Directory
1 Introduction
2 Theoretical Background
2.1 Individualization as one cause of research about stressmanagement models
2.2 Stress as an outcome of highly demanding situations
3 Coping - A stressmanegement strategy
3.1 The appraisal process
3.2 The coping process
3.2.1 Emotion focused coping
3.2.2 Problem focused coping
4 The personal resource optimism
4.1 Distinction between little and big optimism
4.2 The optimist and the pessimist
4.3 Contra of optimism and pro of pessimism
5 A notional case study in the field of
youth sport
5.1 The case
5.2 Optimism analysis
5.3 Implications for promoting optimism
6 Conclusions
7 References