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University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

The moderating role of equity sensitivity on the optimism and stress relationship

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

Research supports optimism as a predictor of how well individuals are able to cope with stress (Chang, Rand, & Strunk, 2007; Riolli & Savicki, 2003). Additionally perceived inequity is considered as a stressor (Taris, Peeters, Le Blanc, Scheurs, & Schaufeli, 2001) and the extent to which individuals perceive inequity is determined by equity sensitivity (Miles, Hatfield, Huseman, 1989). The present research proposes a new framework in which the relationship between optimism and feelings of inequity is moderated by equity sensitivity. The final part of the framework analyzes perceived inequity’s relationship to perceived stress. The results indicated that optimism’s relationship was actually mediated by positive affect. There was mixed support for a significant interaction between optimism and equity sensitivity in its relationship to perceived inequity. Perceived inequity was a predictor of stress.

Degree

thesis:*
Grantor dc:publisher
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Dalluge, James William
Contributors dc:contributor
  • Weathington, Bart L.
  • O'Leary, Brian J.; Cunningham; Christopher J. L.
  • College of Arts and Sciences

Subjects

dc:subject × 3

Rights

dc:rights
Language dc:language
English, eng

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Repository record dc:identifier
https://scholar.utc.edu/theses/16
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:scholar.utc.edu:theses-1016

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
University of Tennessee - Chattanooga
Base URL
scholar.utc.edu/do/oai/
Last updated
2026-07-24
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Dalluge, James William. The moderating role of equity sensitivity on the optimism and stress relationship. University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, https://scholar.utc.edu/theses/16