Disposition, or the tendency to respond to situations in a particular way, is an important aspect of personality and can have far-reaching effects on an individual’s life. Disposition is often studied in relation to other aspects of personality, such as traits, attitudes, and coping styles. It is also related to the development of resilience, positive well-being, and successful adaptation to life events. This article provides a review of the literature on disposition and its implications for mental health, well-being, and behavior.
Research on disposition has largely focused on the relationship between disposition and trait-like aspects of personality, such as extraversion and neuroticism. Studies have found that individuals with higher levels of extraversion tend to be more outgoing and open to new experiences, while those with higher levels of neuroticism are more likely to be anxious and emotionally reactive (Barlow, 2008). Other studies have examined the relationship between disposition and attitudes, such as optimism and pessimism. For example, a study by Zautra, et al. (2003) found that individuals with higher levels of optimism and lower levels of pessimism were less likely to experience stress and more likely to be resilient in the face of adversity.
In addition to its relationship to traits and attitudes, disposition has been found to be associated with coping styles. Specifically, research has shown that individuals who are more dispositionally flexible tend to use more adaptive coping strategies in response to stressful events (Hobfoll, et al., 2002). This is important, as the use of adaptive coping strategies has been linked to better mental health outcomes and greater well-being.
Finally, disposition has been found to be related to successful adaptation to life events. For example, a study by Coyne and DeLongis (1996) found that individuals who were more dispositionally flexible and had higher levels of optimism were more likely to successfully adapt to major life changes, such as job loss or the death of a loved one. This suggests that having a positive disposition may be beneficial in helping individuals to cope with difficult situations and to recover from adverse life events.
In conclusion, disposition plays an important role in mental health, well-being, and adaptation to life events. Research suggests that individuals with higher levels of extraversion, lower levels of neuroticism, and higher levels of optimism are more likely to be resilient and to successfully adapt to major life changes. Additionally, having a more dispositionally flexible attitude has been linked to the use of more adaptive coping strategies, which in turn is associated with better mental health outcomes. Thus, it is important to recognize the role of disposition in both positive and negative outcomes.
References
Barlow, D. H. (2008). Clinical handbook of psychological disorders (4th ed.). New York, NY: Guilford Press.
Coyne, J. C., & DeLongis, A. (1996). Going to pieces without falling apart: A study of resilience in response to stress. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 64(5), 724-735.
Hobfoll, S. E., Jackson, A. P., Hobfoll, I., & Pierce, C. (2002). Conservation of resources: A general stress theory applied to burnout. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 32(3), 553-577.
Zautra, A. J., Potter, P. T., & Reich, J. W. (2003). Optimism, pessimism, and psychological resilience following life stress. Journal of Personality, 71(3), 495-521.