Satisfaction with Life, Optimism and Sense of Personal Competence Among Mountaineers.

For over half a century, researchers have been trying to identify the characteristics of mountaineers, including those psychological. There is no consensus as to which of them are typical of mountaineers or alpinists. However, the search continues with regard to factors responsible for the psychological determinants of mountaineering. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the levels of satisfaction with life, sense of personal competence and optimism, and whether there are any relationships between these variables in mountaineering expeditions. The study participants comprised 22 individuals -- 18 men and 4 women. The average age of the participants was 34.82 years. The following research methods were used: KompOs -- Personal Competence Scale, SWLS -- Satisfaction with Life Scale, and LOT-R -- Life Orientation Test-Revised. The obtained results demonstrated a relationship between satisfaction with life and strength (in the sense of the power to initiate action) and optimism. A correlation was also found between gender and strength. The respondents were characterised by an average level of satisfaction with life and perseverance, and a high level of sense of self-effi cacy, optimism and strength. ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR