Optimism, social support, and premenstrual dysphoria

Abstract

The relationships between dispositional optimism, social support, and mood and performance symptoms associated with the premenstrum were examined in a sample of 101 adult women. Optimism and satisfaction with one's level of social support were positively correlated. Optimism was related inversely to mood-related symptoms, even after controlling for the effects of social support. Optimism did not correlate with premenstrual performance impairment. Social support did not correlate with any premenstrual symptoms.

Disease Disclosure Patterns Among Breast Cancer Patients

“…More optimistic patients may be more likely to discuss their cancer because they anticipate greater receptivity from potential disclosure targets and have more disclosure-oriented attitudes. Optimistic subjects report more satisfying levels of social support (e.g., Fontaine and Seal, 1997), and may already have in place interpersonal communication pathways characterized by relatively high levels of collaboration and trust. Recent evidence also suggests that optimism may be associated with decreased cancer mortality (Schultz et al, 1996).…”

Social Support and Positive Health Practices

“…Social support influences optimism by providing emotional support and relationships that offer acceptance and guidance. Researchers have found positive relationships between social support and optimism in women aged 16 to 45 (Fontaine & Seal, 1997) and in men with an average age of 38 (Park & Folkman, 1997). Based on theory and research, the fifth hypothesis predicted that there would be a positive relationship between social support and optimism in middle-age adults.…”

Optimism and social support: The providers’ perspective

“…It has been theorized that optimists are more socially attractive than pessimists, and consequently they are more likely to be integrated into supportive social networks, and to receive favorable responses from their social environment (e.g., Scheier & Carver, 1987). Various studies have shown a positive relationship between optimism and perceived available social support, such as the availability of helpful others (e.g., Brissette, Scheier, & Carver, 2002;Fontaine & Seal, 1997;Trunzo & Pinto, 2003), and received social support, such as the frequency of helpful interactions (Aspinwall & Taylor, 1992).…”