A Prospective Study of the Effects of Optimism on Adolescent Health Risks

Abstract

CONTEXT: The promotion of optimism has been widely advocated for children and adolescents, but epidemiologic data to support this approach are scant. METHODS: This was a 3-wave longitudinal study of health and social development in younger adolescents from 3 Australian states. The 5634 student participants, initially aged 12 to 14 years, were assessed for optimistic thinking style, emotional problems, substance use, and antisocial behaviors. RESULTS: Cross-sectional associations between optimism and each of the study outcomes were strongly protective but tended to differ according to gender in extent. In prospective analyses of the onset of new cases of each study outcome, protective associations were weaker. Those in the highest optimism quartile had risks for depressive symptoms that were reduced by almost half (odds ratio: 0.54 [95% confidence interval: 0.42–0.70]) compared with those in the lowest category. No effect was seen in prevention of anxiety symptoms after adjustment for other aspects of psychological style. In predicting the onset of heavy substance use and antisocial behavior, high optimism had modest protective effects. CONCLUSIONS: Optimistic thinking style is somewhat protective against adolescent health risks; the clearest effects are seen against depressive symptoms. Promoting optimism along with other aspects of psychological and emotional style has a role in mental health promotion that is likely to be enhanced if an intervention also addresses risk and protective factors in an adolescent's social context.

Covitality Constructs as Predictors of Psychological Well-being and Depression for Secondary School Students

“…Increased optimism has also been found to be particularly protective against depression in adolescence, reducing the risk by nearly 50 % (Patton et al 2011), while zest has been found to be significantly linked to fewer internalising problems (anxious, depressed, and withdrawn behaviour, and somatic complaints) among adolescents (Park and Peterson 2006). Adolescents scoring high in engaged living, conceptualised as being absorbed in an activity and passionate about helping others, have been identified as being less depressed (Froh et al 2010).…”

A comparison of individual qualities of resiliency in adolescents with mild intellectual disability and typically developing adolescents

“…However, she reported on significant differences only with regard to the Impairment score which is higher at a younger than at an older age. Results of other studies conducted on samples of TD adolescents indicated that self-efficacy (Jacobs et al, 2002;Pajares & Valiante, 1999) and optimism (Carvajal et al, 2002, Patton et al, 2011 decreased with age, and that seeking help as a coping strategy occurred earlier than more complex strategies requiring more developed cognitive abilities (Compas et al, 2001;Hampel & Petermann, 2005). With regard to sense of relatedness in TD adolescents, previous studies also indicated that younger adolescents had a higher level of attachment (Laible et al, 2000;Muris et al, 2003) and perceived social support (Malecki & Demaray, 2002;Scholte et al, 2001), as well as a lower level of loneliness (Brage et al, 1993;Chipuer & Pretty, 2007) compared to older adolescents.…”

Physical activity and sport as a protective factor against health- -threatening experiments with adulthood

“…Individuals undertaking physical activity or practicing sport have higher levels of traits which are considered to be personal resources, www.balticsportscience.com such as resiliency [14,20] and optimism [21]. Such predispositions are also factors protecting them against involvement in risky behaviors [22,23].…”