Zhang, A., Cui, L., Iyer, A. et al. (2 more authors) (2014) When reality bites: Hopeful thinking mediates the discrimination-life satisfaction relationship. Analyses of Social Issues and Public Policy, 14 (1). pp. 379-393. ISSN 1530-2415
Abstract
We examine the role of hopeful thinking in enhancing life satisfaction among a minority group facing pervasive group-based discrimination: country migrant workers’ children in China. Positive psychology reasoning suggests that hopeful thinking can attenuate the negative impact of perceived discrimination on life satisfaction. This moderation model is compared to a mediation model, which predicts that reduced hopeful thinking explains the negative impact of perceived discrimination on life satisfaction. Study 1 showed that hopeful thinking did not moderate the relationship between discrimination and life satisfaction. Rather, the negative impact of discrimination on life satisfaction was mediated through diminished hopeful thinking. Study 2 manipulated perceived discrimination and replicated Study 1 findings. The results reveal that hopeful thinking can indeed have positive consequences, but that hopeful thinking is also constrained by perceiving discrimination. This suggests that there are limits to the extent to which hopeful thinking can be developed when facing group-based discrimination.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2014 The Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues. This is an author produced version of a paper subsequently published in Analyses of Social Issues and Public Policy. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy. |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Sheffield |
Academic Units: | The University of Sheffield > Faculty of Science (Sheffield) > Department of Psychology (Sheffield) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Sheffield |
Date Deposited: | 24 Feb 2016 15:43 |
Last Modified: | 19 Mar 2016 14:59 |
Published Version: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/asap.12034 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Wiley-Blackwell |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.1111/asap.12034 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:95610 |