Optimism versus pessimism as predictors of physical health: A comprehensive reanalysis of dispositional optimism research.

Abstract

and HHSN268201600004C. The authors thank the WHI investigators and staff for their dedication, and the study participants for making the program possible. A full listing of WHI investigators can be found at: http://www.whi.org/researchers/Documents%20%20Write%20a%20Paper/WHI%20Investigator %20Long%20List.pdf

Healthy Behavior as a Mediator in the Relationship Between Optimism and Life Satisfaction in Health Sciences Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…[24][25][26][27] Healthy behaviors, considered protective factors for various diseases, are positively related to dispositional optimism. 4,5,[28][29][30] There is a relationship between life satisfaction, dispositional optimism, and health behavior. Previous studies have indicated that both optimism and healthy behavior increase life satisfaction.…”

Perceived helpfulness of bipolar disorder treatment: Findings from the World Health Organization World Mental Health Surveys

“…The extent to which perceived helpfulness relates to definitions of successful treatment outcomes in clinical trials is difficult to determine. It is clear, though, that the two are overlapping rather than distinct given that perceptions such as those of treatment helpfulness, quality of life, optimism about the future, and purpose in life all relate directly to morbidity 9,38 and mortality. 39,40 Thus, the percep- †Treatment delay (years) = Age at first mania/hypomania treatment -Age at onset of mania/hypomania.…”

Optimism in adults born preterm: Systematic review and individual-participant-data meta-analysis

“…These findings help illuminate the similarities between preterm born and term born adults. Albeit surprisingly, given that preterm born individuals more often report neurocognitive, socioemotional and physical and mental health adversities [ 5 , 10 ], which have individually been linked to lower optimism and higher pessimism [ 19 , 21 – 24 ]. The lack of differences, however, may reflect that the adulthood follow-ups captured preterm born and term born young adults who fared better and would report less physical and mental health adversities than those who did not participate.…”

“…Previous studies associate higher optimism with better physical health [ 15 ], exceptional longevity [ 16 ], and decreased risk of mortality [ 17 , 18 ]. A comprehensive meta-analysis found a significant positive association between overall optimism/pessimism with aggregate positive physical health outcome measures [ 19 ]. Optimism has also been associated with lower rates of binge-eating [ 20 ]), better health-related quality of life [ 21 ], more positive daily mood [ 22 , 23 ] and less suicidal ideation [ 24 ].…”