Optimism, pessimism and support in older couples: A longitudinal study

Segel-Karpas, Dikla; Arbel, Reout

doi:10.1111/jopy.12688

Cited by 4 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 80 publications

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“…In addition, they suggest that subjective well‐being could be involved in the interpersonal effects of optimism and pessimism with physical health. As such, future studies might consider subjective well‐being, in addition to other possible pathways (e.g., perceived support; Segel‐Karpas & Arbel, 2021), as a process that could link optimism and pessimism with physical health.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Individuals also reported better subjective health and fewer chronic illnesses over time when their partners' levels of optimism increased (Chopik et al, 2018). One possible explanation for these interpersonal health effects of optimism comes from work showing that individuals perceive greater support from their partners when their partners are more optimistic (or less pessimistic; Segel‐Karpas & Arbel, 2021). That is, a more optimistic (or less pessimistic) partner may be particularly encouraging of a person's own health‐protective behaviors (e.g., quitting smoking, eating healthier), leading to better physical health.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Examining intra‐ and inter‐personal health effects of optimism and pessimism: The role of subjective well‐being in romantic couples

Borenstein-Laurie

Barlow

Scheier

et al. 2022

Journal of Personality

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Recent meta-analytic research suggests that the absence of pessimism is a stronger predictor of health than the presence of optimism (Scheier et al., 2021). Based on these findings, the present study examined the role of subjective well-being in the health effects of optimism and pessimism in romantic couples. It was expected that pessimism would be more strongly associated with both well-being and health than optimism, intra-and inter-personally. In addition, subjective well-being was hypothesized to mediate the health effects of optimism and pessimism. The study included two waves of data obtained from 153 opposite-sex couples. Selfreport indicators of optimism, pessimism, subjective well-being, and health were assessed across waves. Cross-sectional and longitudinal actor-partner interdependence models showed that only the absence of pessimism, but not the presence of optimism, was associated with high levels and improvements in health (e.g., subjective health, sleep-efficiency, cold symptoms, chronic disease). In addition, pessimism was a stronger predictor than optimism of levels in some indicators of subjective well-being (e.g., negative affect, depressive symptoms). These effects were obtained intra-and inter-personally. Finally, levels of subjective well-being statistically mediated the effects of pessimism on levels and changes in health. The study's results suggest that subjective well-being could represent a pathway that explains differential associations between pessimism and optimism with health, both intra-and inter-personally.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Examining intra‐ and inter‐personal health effects of optimism and pessimism: The role of subjective well‐being in romantic couples

Borenstein-Laurie

Barlow

Scheier

et al. 2022

Journal of Personality

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“…Levels of optimism/pessimism seem to depend on multiple demographic factors. In particular, the intricate relationship between gender, socioeconomic status, physical activity, and optimism-pessimism bears profound psychological signi cance, warranting exploration within the medical context [17]. Furthermore, optimism, pessimism, and age intertwine in human psychology [18].…”

Section: Correlates Of Optimismmentioning

confidence: 99%

Body appreciation is associated with optimism/pessimism in patients with Chronic Kidney Disease: Results from a cross sectional study and validation of the Arabic version of the Optimism–Pessimism Short Scale–2

Moussa,

Hachem,

Sebaaly

et al. 2023

Preprint

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Background: Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) patients encounter many obstacles that affect their physical and psychological well-being. The primary objective of the present study was to investigate potential correlates of optimism/pessimism in a sample of patients with CKD, including socio-demographics, body appreciation and disordered eating symptoms. As a secondary objective, we proposed to examine the psychometric properties of an Arabic translation of the Optimism–Pessimism Short Scale–2 (SOP2) before its use in our sample. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out between April and May 2023, enrolling 108 participants from three hospitals in Lebanon providing insights into their sociodemographic characteristics, physical activity levels, body appreciation, optimism, pessimism, and eating attitudes. Results: Results indicated that the Arabic-language adaptation of the SOP2 has good reliability coefficients. The two facets of the scale displayed strong correlation to each other, and highly similar correlations with external study variables (i.e., household crowding index, physical activity, body appreciation, disordered eating), suggesting that the SOP2 can be interpreted as a unidimensional measure for the psychological dispositional optimism as proposed by the developers. Furthermore, findings revealed a strong positive correlation between body appreciation and optimism, suggesting that CKD patients who appreciate their bodies tend to exhibit a more optimistic outlook on life. Conversely, higher body appreciation is associated with lower pessimism, indicating that a positive body image may mitigate feelings of hopelessness and despair in CKD patients. Conclusion: This study contributes to the literature in two ways. First, it offers the Arabic SOP2 as a quick to complete, easy to administer, and psychometrically sound instrument that can be useful for clinical and research purposes. Second, it unveils a clear correlation between higher body appreciation and a more optimistic, less pessimistic mindset in patients with CKD.

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Longitudinal associations of spousal support and strain with health and well‐being: An outcome‐wide study of married older U.S. Adults

de la Rosa,

Nakamura,

Cowden

et al. 2024

Family Process

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In the present study, we examined the prospective associations of both spousal support and spousal strain with a wide range of health and well‐being outcomes in married older adults. Applying the analytic template for outcome‐wide designs, three waves of longitudinal data from the Health and Retirement Study (n = 7788, Mage = 64.2 years) were analyzed using linear regression, logistic regression, and generalized linear models. A set of models was performed for spousal support and another set of models for spousal strain (2010/2012, t1). Outcomes included 35 different aspects of physical health, health behaviors, psychological well‐being, psychological distress, and social factors (2014/2016, t2). All models adjusted for pre‐baseline levels of sociodemographic covariates and all outcomes (2006/2008, t0). Spousal support evidenced positive associations with five psychological well‐being outcomes, as well as negative associations with five psychological distress outcomes and loneliness. Conversely, spousal strain evidenced negative associations with three psychological well‐being outcomes, in addition to positive associations with three psychological distress outcomes and loneliness. The magnitude of these associations was generally small, although some effect estimates were somewhat larger. Associations of both spousal support and strain with other social and health‐related outcomes were more negligible. Both support and strain within a marital relationship have the potential to impact various aspects of psychological well‐being, psychological distress, and loneliness in the aging population.

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Optimism, pessimism and support in older couples: A longitudinal study

Cited by 4 publications

References 80 publications

Examining intra‐ and inter‐personal health effects of optimism and pessimism: The role of subjective well‐being in romantic couples

Examining intra‐ and inter‐personal health effects of optimism and pessimism: The role of subjective well‐being in romantic couples

Body appreciation is associated with optimism/pessimism in patients with Chronic Kidney Disease: Results from a cross sectional study and validation of the Arabic version of the Optimism–Pessimism Short Scale–2

Longitudinal associations of spousal support and strain with health and well‐being: An outcome‐wide study of married older U.S. Adults

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