The Mediator Effects of Positive and Negative Affectivity on the Relationship between Optimism-Pessimism and Satisfaction with Life

This study examined the mediation effects of positive and negative affectivity on the relationship between optimism/pessimism and satisfaction with life among university students. Participants were 95 female and 151 male undergraduate students (N = 246). Participants ranged in age from 18 to 26 with a mean of 21.09 (SD = 2.34). Participants completed Life Orientation Scale (LOT), Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS), and Life Satisfaction Scale. Results of correlational analyses demonstrated that the association between optimism and pessimism was -.40. Optimism was significantly associated with PA (r = .40), NA (r = -.26), and satisfaction with life (r = .36). Similarly, pessimism was significantly correlated with PA (r = -.26), NA (r = .39), and satisfaction with life (r = -.30). Finally, optimism had statistically significant direct and indirect links (by means of positive affectivity) with satisfaction with life, whereas pessimism only had statistically significant direct link with life satisfaction.