Do shift-and-persist strategies predict the mental health of low-socioeconomic status individuals?

Abstract

The present study sought to examine the effects of the shift-and-persist strategy on the psychological outcomes of individuals with a low socioeconomic status (low-SES). Although previous research has shown that this type of strategy has beneficial effects on the physiological responses and health of individuals with low-SES, its effects on psychological outcomes have not been thoroughly studied. The present study investigated the relationship between shift-and-persist tendencies, childhood SES, and depressive tendencies using two samples. We performed multiple regression analysis of the obtained data. The results of study 1 (N=99 female undergraduates) showed that an individual’s tendency towards depression was negatively related to their persisting tendency, but not their shifting tendency. This relationship was replicated in study 2 (N=662 working adults). Although the results do not correspond with previous research, our finding that persisting is connected to psychological outcomes, such as depressive tendencies, is important.