Significance and function of adaptive resignation in psychological health

Abstract

Recently, the adaptive function of resignation in psychological health is widely noted, especially from the standpoint of its relationship with mindfulness and acceptance. In this study, we developed two scales: one for measuring the stress-monitoring intention and one for measuring adaptive resignation. Then, we examined the relationship between stress-monitoring intention and psychological health in the light of the adaptive function of resignation. A questionnaire study was carried out with 600 Japanese workers in their 20s to 40s (300 males and 300 females: mean age = 35.37 years, SD = 7.66 years). The questionnaire’s reliability and validity were demonstrated. Mediation analysis revealed mediated effects of adaptive resignation in the relationship between stress-monitoring intention and psychological health. This result suggested that stress-monitoring intention has a dual face to psychological health, and the adaptive resignation eases the negative relationship, and amplifies the positive relationship. Finally, the meaning of this study’s results in terms of cognitive behavioral therapy and stress education in Japan are discussed.