Mediating Role of Psychological Flexibility between Optimism and Psychological Well-Being among Defence Personnel in India

Abstract

Defence forces, worldwide, have undergone modernisation while upgrading their weapon system and machinery. But, the most important weapon of defence forces are its human resources and their psychological strength in the face of challenges and adversaries. The aim of positive psychology is to enhance and sustain human psychological well-being. This study aims to explore the path mechanism and expand the current research on the action pathway existing between optimism and psychological well-being among defence personnel. The present research work also explores the mediational role of psychological flexibility (PF) between optimism and psychological well-being (PWB). To explore the relationship, a sample of Indian defence personnel (n=102) was taken. The participants' age ranged from 21 to 58 (M = 43.42, SD = 11.21). Instruments administered on defence personnel in the study were Life Orientation Test – Revised (Scheir, Carver & Bridges, 1994), Acceptance and Action Questionnaire – II (Bond et al, 2011) and Ryff’s Psychological well-being scale (Ryff, 1989). Correlational analysis revealed positive and significant correlation between optimism and PWB and negative and significant correlation between optimism and PF as well as PF and PWB. Mediation analysis suggests that PF partially and significantly mediates the relationship between optimism and psychological well-being. PF acted as partial mediator between optimism and all the individual components of PWB except for purpose in life where the results showed negative mediation effect. The mediatory function of PF in relationship between optimism and “autonomy”, “environmental mastery” and “purpose in life” was not significant while relationship between optimism and “personal growth”, “positive relations with others” and “self-acceptance” was significant. Findings extenuate the importance of integrating optimism and psychological flexibility while tailoring interventions to promote psychological well-being among defence personnel.