Security as a Psychological Construct: Cognitive Predictors of Personal Security Worries

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Pages: 21-50
DOI: https://doi.org/10.54664/RFJC5979

Abstract:

The present study investigates the relationships between personal security worries and generalized outcome expectations (optimism and negative expectations). The object of the research concerns individual differences in the frequency of threat-related cognitive processing (worries) and their association with more stable cognitive orientations toward future outcomes. Empirical data were collected in 2025–2026 from 198 participants (71 men, 127 women), predominantly from large urban settings (83.3%). Two methodological frameworks were applied. First, the Optimism and Negative Expectations method is grounded in Scheier & Carver’s (1985) definition of optimism as a generalized expectation of positive outcomes, independent of causal attributions, whereas negative expectations reflect a generalized tendency to anticipate events with negative valence. Following evidence by Öetheg et al. (1989), the two constructs are treated as relatively independent rather than opposite poles. Optimism is theoretically linked to buffering effects against stress and more flexible coping strategies (Scheier & Carver, 1987). Second, the Personal Security Worries Questionnaire conceptualizes worries as predominantly cognitive components—thoughts and probability judgments about dangerous events—used for behavioral planning and strategy selection; thus, worries do not necessarily equal emotional anxiety but reflect the frequency of thematic processing of threat-related information. Descriptive statistics yielded: security worries (M = 2.38; SD = 0.75), optimism (M = 4.08; SD = 0.53), and negative expectations (M = 2.67; SD = 0.66) (N = 198). Correlation analysis showed a significant positive association between worries and negative expectations (r = .374, p < .001) and a significant negative association between worries and optimism (r = –.256, p < .001). Optimism and negative expectations were negatively correlated (r = –.304, p < .001), consistent with the view that they are relatively independent constructs. Stepwise regression indicated that negative expectations were the strongest predictor of security worries (β = .326, p < .001), and adding optimism increased explained variance to R² = .162 (p < .001). Overall, the findings support the view that a cognitive orientation toward anticipating negative outcomes is linked to more frequent threat-related cognitions and higher perceived insecurity, whereas optimism functions as a protective (buffering) factor. No significant socio-demographic differences were found in security-related anxiety and optimism according to ANOVA tests, whereas negative expectations showed significant differences depending on marital status and the period of assessment.

Keywords:

security, anxiety, optimism, negative expectations, generalized expectancies.

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