Does optimism mediate the relationship between Big Five and perceived stress? A study with Spanish adolescents

espanolLos resultados de investigacion han mostrado la existencia de relaciones entre los Cinco Grandes factores de personalidad, Optimismo y Estres Percibido. El objetivo del estudio es explorar, mediante modelos de ecuaciones estructurales, el posible papel mediador que se ha sugerido podria desempenar Optimismo en esta relacion. Tambien, se explora a traves de un analisis multi-grupo la invarianza por sexo de los resultados. Un total de 611 adolescentes espanoles completaron de forma anonima los cuestionarios BFQ, LOT-R y PSS. Optimismo se asocio positivamente asociado con los rasgos de personalidad y negativamente con Estres Percibido. El Estres se relaciono negativamente con Estabilidad Emocional, Extraversion y Responsabilidad y no mostro asociacion alguna con Afabilidad ni con Apertura. Los analisis de mediacion revelaron el papel mediador de Optimismo en la relacion entre Estabilidad Emocional (mediacion parcial), Extraversion y Responsabilidad y Estres. Estos resultados no variaron por sexo. En conclusion, un perfil basico de personalidad caracterizado por Extraversion, Estabilidad Emocional y Responsabilidad favoreceria el desarrollo de expectativas positivas de futuro que representan un predictor proximal de Estres Percibido. El papel mediador del optimismo puede resultar relevante para el desarrollo de intervenciones focalizadas en reducir los niveles de estres y, consecuentemente, mejorar el ajuste del adolescente. EnglishResearch results have shown the existence of relationships between the Big Five personality factors, Optimism, and Perceived Stress. The aim of this study is to explore the possible mediating role that it has been suggested might play Optimism in this relationship. Structural equation models were conducted to examine the mediating role of Optimism. A multi-group analysis was performed to verify whether the results varied by sex. 611 Spanish adolescents completed anonymously the measures of BFQ, LOT-R and PSS. The findings showed that Optimism was positively associated with the personality traits and negatively with Perceived Stress. Perceived Stress was in turn negatively related to Emotional Stability, Extraversion and Conscientiousness, while it was not correlated with Agreeableness and Openness. Mediation analysis revealed the mediating role of Optimism on the relationship between Emotional Stability (partial mediation), Extraversion, and Conscientiousness, and the Perception of Stress. These findings did not vary by sex. In conclusion, a basic personality profile characterized by Extraversion, Emotional Stability, and Conscientiousness would favor the development of positive future expectations that represent a proximal predictor for Perceived Stress. Optimism mediation may be relevant for the development of interventions focused on reducing stress levels and, consequently, to improve the adolescent's adjustment.