Hope, Optimism, and Clinical Pain: A Meta-Analysis

Background Generalized expectancies have been theorized to play key roles in pain-related outcomes, but the empirical findings have been mixed. Purpose The primary aim of this meta-analysis was to quantify the relationships between two of the most researched positive generalized expectancies (i.e., hope and optimism) and pain-related outcomes (i.e., pain severity, physical functioning, and psychological dysfunction) for those experiencing clinical pain. Methods A total of 96 studies and 31,780 participants with a broad array of pain diagnoses were included in analyses, using random-effects models. Results Both hope and optimism had negative correlations with pain severity (hope: r = –.168, p < .001; optimism: r = –.157, p < .001), positive correlations with physical functioning (hope: r = .199, p < .001; optimism: r = .175, p < .001), and negative correlations with psychological dysfunction (hope: r = –.349, p = .001; optimism: r = –.430, p <.001). Conclusion The current findings suggest that hope and optimism are similarly associated with adaptive pain-related outcomes. Future research should examine the efficacy of interventions on hope and optimism in ameliorating the experience of clinical pain.

THE PROCESS AND IMPORTANCE OF MARRIAGE COUNSELLING FOR MARRIED COUPLES: AN OVERVIEW

The aim of this study is to discuss the process and importance of marriage counselling for married couples. The use of marriage counselling were greater for persons with a positive attitude toward seeking marriage counselling and those who had previous marriage counselling. However, those having a supportive subjective norm were more likely to seek marriage counselling is the persons with no history of marriage counselling. Similarities and differences between males and females for the type of marital problem that might lead to marriage counselling and the implications for counsellors are presented. This study also determines the use of inquiry method in the counselling and counselling theories approaches. The research examined descriptive level specific problem areas for which an individual might pursue marriage counselling and how these varied by gender. Besides that, more general indices because it specifically targets beliefs about marriage be more strongly correlated to relationship variables (e.g., marital satisfaction) than have measures of generalized expectancies. KEYWORDS : Importance, Marriage Counselling, Process, Behaviour, Attitude, Sex Differences

Generalized Expectancies for Negative Mood Regulation Among Youth in Grades 4 to 8

Negative mood regulation expectancies (NMRE) represent people’s beliefs that they can use behaviors and cognitions to alleviate unpleasant emotional states. The relationship between NMRE and measures of affect, coping, depression, and anxiety with youth in Grades 4 through 8 ( N = 539) was examined. In hierarchical regressions, scores on an NMRE scale predicted depression, but not anxiety, independent of positive affect, negative affect, adaptive coping, and avoidant coping. Results were consistent with those found with college students and adults, suggesting the NMRE construct can add to our understanding of how youth deal with negative moods. Assessing NMRE in youth may help identify those at risk for developing affective symptoms, and provide a useful index of progress in therapeutic interventions.