Optimism, Pessimism, and Friendship

Geers, Andrew L.; Reilley, Sean P.; Dember, William N.

doi:10.1007/s12144-998-1017-4

Cited by 48 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 43 publications

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“…Previous research has focused on social support, coping, and related concepts to explain this optimism-health relationship (e.g., Geers et al [65] and Scheier et al [66]). The present results suggest an additional mechanism.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Further evidence for individual differences in placebo responding: An interactionist perspective

Geers

Kosbab

Helfer

et al. 2007

Journal of Psychosomatic Research

Self Cite

104

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Further evidence for individual differences in placebo responding: An interactionist perspective

Geers

Kosbab

Helfer

et al. 2007

Journal of Psychosomatic Research

Self Cite

104

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“…The most common position in the resource literature is viewing the relationship between resources and well-being related variables as bidirectional (Hobfoll, 2002). More specifically, the relationship between optimism and resources is probably bidirectional, with optimists more adept at acquiring resources (Brissette, Scheier, & Carver, 2002;Chemers, Hu, & Garcia, 2001;Geers, Reilley, & Dember, 1998), while resource levels also influence optimism (Heinonen et al, 2006;Korkeila et al, 2004). Direct evidence of this bidirectional relationship was provided in a 10-year follow-up study that showed that dispositional optimism results in long-term resource growth and that increased resources predict increased optimism (Segerstrom, 2007).…”

Section: Limitationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Looking back in order to predict the future: Relative resource assessments and their relationship to future expectations

2018

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In this research, we investigated how relative resource assessments relate to future expectations. In previous research, resources are typically studied separately, and contextual influences and reference-point dependencies are often ignored. We addressed this in an online survey in which Icelanders (N = 611) assessed their economic, temporal, social, and emotional resources using four reference points (wants, others, past, future). We used exploratory factor analysis to reduce the four resources into three reliable factors: economic, temporal, and socio-emotional resources. Using hierarchical regression we found that assessments of socio-emotional and economic resources were related to future expectations, even after controlling for more objective resource markers, such as income and education. This relationship was strongest when past resources were used as the reference point for assessing current resources. We interpret these findings as suggesting that temporal comparisons to the past become more salient during times of instability, as Icelanders have recently gone through much economic and political turmoil. A psychological challenge for individuals recovering from economic collapse is to abstain from comparing current with past resource levels, as it elicits a loss experience. Overcoming a feeling that "it was better before" seems vital in re-establishing optimistic future expectations.Keywords: relative resource assessments, reference points, temporal relative deprivation, future expectations, optimism, worry It is well established that economic resources are positively related to well-being and positive future expectations (Diener & Biswas-Diener, 2002). Possessing a large resource reservoir makes individuals less vulnerable and facilitates the attainment of more resources (Hobfoll, 2002). Individuals who have enough resources therefore have good grounds for viewing the future brightly, as they can rest secure in the knowledge that they will most likely be able to face life's adversities. In contrast, people who feel that their resources are lacking may be worried about the future, as this exposes them to vulnerabilities ensued by negative events. But, how do you know if your current standing gives you cause for concern or optimism? Perhaps a subjective assessment of the available resources is as important as your objective resource levels! When making such an 1 Department of Psychology, University of Gothenburg, Box 500, Gothenburg 40530, Sweden This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. assessment you are likely to evaluate your current standing relative to a reference known to you, using some type of reference point for the assessment.The following scenario illustrates this assessment process: Imagine that you were able to save €1600 two years ago, and €1000 last ye...

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“…Optimists report having more social support than pessimists (Brissette et al, 2002), they are more accepted by others (Carver, Kus, & Scheier, 1994a), and their friendships are longer in duration (Geers, Reilley, & Dember, 1998). Because optimists function better socially, they function better psychologically.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of optimism, interpersonal relationships, and distress on psychosexual well-being among women with early stage breast cancer

Wimberly

Carver

Antoni

2007

Psychology & Health

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This study examined associations between optimism, social support, and distress as they relate to psychosexual well-being among 136 women with Stage 0, I, and II breast cancer. Women were assessed immediately post-surgery and 3, 6, and 12 months post-surgery. Results support two cross-sectional mediation models. The first model indicates that patients who are more optimistic experience greater psychosexual well-being (i.e., feel more feminine, attractive, and sexually desirable) partly because they perceive themselves as having more social support available. The second model indicates that patients who are more optimistic experience greater psychosexual well-being partly because they experience less emotional distress related to the disease. When the two models were tested simultaneously, distress no longer contributed uniquely to the model at any time point except for 12 months follow-up.

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Optimism, Pessimism, and Friendship

Cited by 48 publications

References 43 publications

Further evidence for individual differences in placebo responding: An interactionist perspective

Further evidence for individual differences in placebo responding: An interactionist perspective

Looking back in order to predict the future: Relative resource assessments and their relationship to future expectations

Effects of optimism, interpersonal relationships, and distress on psychosexual well-being among women with early stage breast cancer

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