Does the Pollyannaish View on Life Hold during Early COVID-19 Quarantine? Modeling the Effects of Positive Emotions, Hope, Optimism and Life Meaning on Life Satisfaction

Abstract

This study examined 1) the effects of positive emotions, hope, optimism, and life meaning, on life satisfaction during early COVID-19 quarantine; 2) the inter-relationships between hope, optimism, life meaning and positive emotions. Respondents (759 Greek adults from the general population) completed self-report measures of affectivity (SPANE-8), life satisfaction (SWLS), hope (AHS), life meaning (MLQ) and optimism (LOT-R). A Structural Equation Model (SEM) was specified. The measurement model showed good fit, model-based reliability, convergent/discriminant validity and strict measurement invariance across gender. The full SEM model had equally good fit. The effects of Positive Emotions, Presence of Life Meaning, Optimism and Hope Agency on Life Satisfaction were positive and significant, from 0.265 - 0.402 (61.5% explained variance). The effect of Positive Emotions on Hope Agency was not significant. The effects of Optimism and Presence of Life Meaning on Hope Agency were positive, significant and strong (0.484 - 0.764). The effects of Positive Emotions and Presence of Life Meaning on Optimism were positive, significant but weak. The effect of Positive Emotions on Presence of Life Meaning was positive, significant and strong. Some study limitations were the cross-sectional design, non-probability sampling, imbalanced sample regarding gender, single method of data collection. In conclusion, during COVID-19 early quarantine: 1) Positive Emotions, Hope Agency, Optimism and Presence of Life Meaning explained almost 2/3 of Life Satisfaction; 2) Optimism had the strongest positive effect on Hope Agency; 3) Positive Emotions had the second strongest positive effect on Presence of Life Meaning. Findings have implications for efforts to sustain and promote Life Satisfaction during and after COVID-19 context.