Anasakti and health: A study of non-attachment - Indian Psychology ...

101Within this framework, the findings relating to the perception ofdistress can be interpreted. As stated earlier, subjects high and lowon anasa.4ti differed from each other with respectto their subjectiveperception of distress (ADR) and symptoms of strain. Since anasaktiis characterised by a strong tendency toward effort orientation, thosehigh on anasakti were able to evoke action-oriented self-regulatoryprocesses more effectively than those who were low on anasakti.Self-regulatory processes consist of three phases (Rosenbaum,1988). When stressful situations are encountered, these phasesinvolve representation, evaluation and action. In the representationphase, the individual reacts emotionally and/or cognitively tostressors which cause disruption in his daily routine. In the evaluationphase, he evaluates the significance of disruption caused bystressors in terms of his well-being. In the action phase, he respondsto stressors in such a way that the disruption may be minimised.Significant mean differences in ADR suggested that individualshigh and low on anasakti differed from each other in the manner inwhich stressors were represented. When they confronted stressfullife events, they felt differentially distressed. Anasakti helped thehigher anasakti group to evaluate stressful events as presentingchallenges rather than threats. They could evolve suitable copingstrategies because of their disposition to remain emotionally poised.In the case of subjects low on anasakti, threat appraisals, emotionalinstabilities and coping ineptitudes may have led to greater perceiveddistress. These individuals also manifested moresymptoms ofpsychological and physical ill health. ,Anasakti: The Predictor of StrainThe relative significance of anasakti and stress scores in predictingstrain was tested. More than the stress scores, anasakti significantlypredicted strain symptoms. This finding suggested that dispositionalfactors increased an individual’s susceptibility to stressors morethan the situation itself. Anasakti was found to representone facetof human personality which helped individuals remain well adjustedand healthy despite exposure to’ stressors. It was also found thatthe contribution of anasakti in predicting strain was greater thanthe contribution of stress scores. The psychological processesunderlying this finding will be discussed.Downloaded from pds.sagepub.com by Ajit Dalal on April 4, 2011