The effect of positive reframing on task persistence and the moderating role of personality

The effect of positive reframing on task persistence and the moderating role of personality

Research Poster

Ritu Halbhavi

Positive reframing is a method used to cope with adversity by viewing a difficult situation in a positive way and is shown to improve task performance and resilience. However, there is limited research on the comparison between positive reframing techniques themselves, and whether their individual effectiveness may depend on personality factors. This study measured how reframing a task as either a challenge or as an opportunity may influence persistence, or engagement, on the task. Moreover, the study applied two personality measures to determine participants’ level of openness to challenges and openness to opportunities in general. It was hypothesised that an individual with high openness to challenges will persist more upon a challenge reframing message, rather than an opportunity reframing message. Similarly, it was hypothesised that an individual with high openness to opportunities will persist more upon an opportunity reframing message, rather than a challenge reframing message. A multiple regression analysis showed that there was no interaction found between the reframing condition and the participant’s level of openness to opportunities. However, an interaction was found between the reframing condition and level of openness to challenges. A higher challenge orientation predicted higher task persistence in the opportunity reframing condition but lower persistence in the challenge reframing condition. The findings indicate the potential of tailoring positive reframing to the individual but highlight the possible need for a ‘fit’ between positive reframing messages, personality, and even the type of task presented to derive maximum benefit.

psychology, positive reframing, personality, individual differences, cognitive appraisal, persistence