Exploring the Relationship between Affective Forecasting, Neuroticism, Loneliness and Psychological Flexibility in Females

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Page: 1339-1349

Rujal Shah and Anuja Deshpande (Department of Psychology, Maniben Nanavati College, Mumbai, Maharashtra)

Affective forecasting, influenced by neuroticism, loneliness, and psychological flexibility, anticipates future emotional reactions. The present study consisted of 109 females. Pearson’s product-moment correlation indicated that there were strong positive correlations between neuroticism, loneliness and negative affective forecasting, respectively, neuroticism and loneliness and psychological flexibility and positive affective forecasting. There were strong negative correlations between negative affective forecasting, neuroticism, loneliness and positive affective forecasting, respectively and neuroticism, loneliness, negative affective forecasting and psychological flexibility, respectively. All of these correlations were significant at p = <.001. Further, the study investigated whether psychological flexibility mediates the relationship between loneliness and affective forecasting and neuroticism and affective forecasting. Mediation analysis results indicated that psychological flexibility partially mediates the correlation between neuroticism and negative affective forecasting and loneliness and negative affective forecasting, but did not have any significant effect between neuroticism and positive affective forecasting and loneliness and positive affective forecasting. Neuroticism and loneliness reduce psychological flexibility, leading to stress and negative emotional anticipations. Cognitive reappraisal and emotional acceptance prevent negative expectancy, but optimism, social support, and extraversion influence positive affective forecasting. Therapies such as CBT and ACT increase psychological flexibility, decrease negative emotional predictions, and build resilience. School and workplace interventions can improve performance, well-being, and overall quality of life.