CONCLUSION
The results of the present study underline the importance of an increasing level of optimism in individuals with depressive symptoms when facing a high level of job stress to reduce depressive symptoms. Thus, as optimism is modifiable, efforts to increase general optimism might be beneficial to reduce the negative effect of job stress on depressive symptoms. For example, intervention programs on best possible self (BPS) to encourage an optimistic outlook in employed individuals might be beneficial because it has been shown that best possible self (BPS) led to significantly larger increases in optimism (Meevissen et al., 2011). Also, Peters at al. (2013) demonstrated that BPS led to increased optimism and life satisfaction (n=82). Similarly, BPS led to an increase in positive affect and positive future expectancies in a study by Peters et al. (2010). This was also demonstrated elsewhere (Sheldon and Lyubomirsky, 2007). Additionally, as we have shown that job stress is associated with depressive symptoms, it is reasonable to expect that positive changes in job characteristics may improve depressive symptoms. Noe et al. (2013) suggested a strategy called job-redesign to cope with this problem. Likewise, a strategy for improving performance was recommended by several studies (Bohlander and Snell, 2013, Hertzberg, 1968, Noe et al., 2013). However, further research (e.g., stratified by sex, sector or region) is required to get a better understanding of the impact of optimism on the relation between job stress and depressive symptoms. Additionally, future research is required to clarify whether different job characteristics affect depressive symptoms differently and whether this relation is moderated by optimism.
