Distinguishing optimism from pessimism in older adults: is it more important to be optimistic or not to be pessimistic?
J Pers Soc Psychol
; 73(6): 1345-53, 1997 Dec.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-9418282
Confirmatory factor analysis revealed that the Life Orientation Test (LOT) consisted of separate Optimism and Pessimism factors among middle-aged and older adults. Although the two factors were significantly negatively correlated among individuals facing a profound life challenge (i.e., caregiving), they were only weakly correlated among noncaregivers. Caregivers also expressed less optimism than noncaregivers and showed a trend toward greater pessimism, suggesting that life stress may affect these dispositions. Pessimism, not optimism, uniquely predicted subsequent psychological and physical health; however, optimism and pessimism were equally predictive for stressed and nonstressed samples. By exploring optimism and pessimism separately, researchers may better determine whether the beneficial effects of optimism result from thinking optimistically, avoiding pessimistic thinking, or a combination of the two.
Search on Google
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Personality
/
Aging
/
Life Change Events
/
Motivation
Type of study:
Observational_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Aspects:
Patient_preference
Limits:
Adult
/
Aged
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
/
Middle aged
Language:
En
Journal:
J Pers Soc Psychol
Year:
1997
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
United States
Country of publication:
United States