ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Optimism and stress-coping strategies among students
of physical activity and nutrition in public health.
The pilot study
1
Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Department of
Psychiatry, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Zabrze, Zabrze,
Poland
2
Humanitas University in Sosnowiec, Institute of Psychology,
Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Sosnowiec,
Poland
3
Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Department
of Psychology, Faculty of Health Sciences in Katowice,
Katowice, Poland
4
Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education in Katowice,
Department of Health-Promoting Physical Activity and
Tourism, Faculty of Physical Education, Katowice, Poland
Submission date: 2024-09-22
Final revision date: 2025-01-14
Acceptance date: 2025-02-22
Publication date: 2025-06-30
Corresponding author
Paweł Dębski
Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Zabrze, Poland
Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Zabrze, Poland
TRENDS in Sport Sciences 2025;32(2)
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Introduction:
Many life events, negative and positive, are often associated with stress, which is part of changes and complex life situations. Stress is a psychological factor, but it also causes physiological reactions in the human body. Students of health promotion and physical activity are exposed to many stressful situations, their future profession is associated with great responsibility, which may result in severe and chronic stress. To prevent the negative effects of stress, using appropriate methods of coping with it can be considered. Defined as the belief in the positive results of actions taken, dispositional optimism is an important factor in coping with stress. A high level of optimism helps you cope with difficult situations and protects you against the consequences of excessive stress. Coping styles and strategies, as well as optimism, are factors that can play an important role in healthy ways of coping with stress
Aim of the study:
The aim of the pilot study was to investigate and examine whether there are linkages and differences between optimism and stress-coping strategies among the students of Physical Activity and Nutrition in Public Health degree course
Material and methods:
A total of 77 participants took part in the pilot study, including 48 females, 29 males. The mean age of the students was 20.039 ± 1.437 years. During the pilot study two questionnaires were applied: Coping Orientations to Problems Experienced (COPE) to measure the students’ stress-coping strategies and Revised Life Orientation Test (LOT-R) to estimate their dispositional optimism.
Results:
Dispositional optimism correlates significantly and negatively with the tendency to use avoidance strategies. In terms of supportseeking and emotion-focused strategies, higher intensity of these traits was found among female participants.
Conclusions:
Dispositional optimism is a significant psychological healthpromoting factor that may prevent the escalation of the tendency to apply avoidance strategies among the first-year students of Physical Activity and Nutrition in Public Health degree course.
Many life events, negative and positive, are often associated with stress, which is part of changes and complex life situations. Stress is a psychological factor, but it also causes physiological reactions in the human body. Students of health promotion and physical activity are exposed to many stressful situations, their future profession is associated with great responsibility, which may result in severe and chronic stress. To prevent the negative effects of stress, using appropriate methods of coping with it can be considered. Defined as the belief in the positive results of actions taken, dispositional optimism is an important factor in coping with stress. A high level of optimism helps you cope with difficult situations and protects you against the consequences of excessive stress. Coping styles and strategies, as well as optimism, are factors that can play an important role in healthy ways of coping with stress
Aim of the study:
The aim of the pilot study was to investigate and examine whether there are linkages and differences between optimism and stress-coping strategies among the students of Physical Activity and Nutrition in Public Health degree course
Material and methods:
A total of 77 participants took part in the pilot study, including 48 females, 29 males. The mean age of the students was 20.039 ± 1.437 years. During the pilot study two questionnaires were applied: Coping Orientations to Problems Experienced (COPE) to measure the students’ stress-coping strategies and Revised Life Orientation Test (LOT-R) to estimate their dispositional optimism.
Results:
Dispositional optimism correlates significantly and negatively with the tendency to use avoidance strategies. In terms of supportseeking and emotion-focused strategies, higher intensity of these traits was found among female participants.
Conclusions:
Dispositional optimism is a significant psychological healthpromoting factor that may prevent the escalation of the tendency to apply avoidance strategies among the first-year students of Physical Activity and Nutrition in Public Health degree course.
| eISSN: | 2391-436X |
| ISSN: | 2299-9590 |
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