Psychometric Properties of the Stress Mindset Measure (SMM) in a Greek Sample

Konstantinos Karampas,Anastassios Stalikas,Christos Pezirkianidis

doi:10.4236/psych.2020.118079

Abstract

The aim of this study is to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Stress Mindset Measure (SMM) in a non-clinical sample of the Greek population. The Stress Mindset Measure (SMM) is an 8-item instrument, designed to assess the extent to which an individual believes that the effects of stress are either enhancing or debilitating. The validation was carried out in a sample of 784 Greek adults, aging from 18 to 65 years old. Results indicated that the Greek version of the Stress Mindset Measure (SMM) has satisfactory reliability and validity indexes. Moreover, the findings showed that having a positive stress mindset is positively correlated to positive wellbeing indices and positive ways of perceiving and coping with stress. Also, having a positive stress mindset is negatively correlated to negative experiences and with less effective ways of coping with stress. On the other hand, having a negative stress mindset is negatively correlated to positive wellbeing outputs and effective coping mechanisms and also positively correlated with psychological symptomatology and negative feelings. The results of this study suggest that the Greek SMM can be used as a reliable and valid instrument for the measurement of stress mindset in the Greek population.

Highlights

Stress mindset is conceptualized as one’s belief that stress has either enhancing or debilitating consequences for outcomes such as health, performance, and well-being (Crum, Salovey, & Achor, 2013)
The aim of this study is to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Stress Mindset Measure (SMM) in a non-clinical sample of the Greek population
The results of this study suggest that the Greek SMM can be used as a reliable and valid instrument for the measurement of stress mindset in the Greek population

Summary

Introduction

Stress mindset is conceptualized as one’s belief that stress has either enhancing or debilitating consequences for outcomes such as health, performance, and well-being (Crum, Salovey, & Achor, 2013). Individuals with a positive stress mindset tend to approach stressful situations in order to achieve enhancing outcomes (Crum et al, 2013; Casper, Sonnentag, & Tremmel, 2017). Stress may produce favorable outcomes (for reviews see: Podsakoff, LePine, & LePine, 2007; Updegraff & Taylor, 2000), as research suggests that a “stress-is-enhancing” mindset, over and above the effects of stress level, seems to improve self-reported health and work performance (Crum et al, 2013), as well as to enhance physiological functioning and performance (e.g., Jamieson, Mendes, Blackstock, & Schmader, 2010; Jamieson, Mendes, & Nock, 2013). Research indicates that stress mindset can be changed to improve stress responses (Crum et al, 2013; Crum, Akinola, Martin, & Fath, 2017)

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