Levels Of Dispositional Optimism Research Articles

Self-Efficacy Versus Dispositional Optimism and Life Satisfaction of Fitness Industry Employees

Abstract The article consists of theoretical and empirical parts. The theoretical part presents the most important issues related to such concepts as self-efficacy, dispositional optimism and life satisfaction among fitness industry employees. Reference was made to the most important findings of researchers in the fields of philosophy, psychology and sociology. The aim of the theoretical part was to present the issues studied and discussed in the empirical part as accurately as possible. The main objective of the presented study was to check whether there were any correlations between the sense of generalized self-efficacy, life satisfaction and dispositional optimism among fitness industry employees. In the process of achieving this goal, Pearson’s r correlation analysis was carried out. The study covered 105 respondents. The level of significance was α = 0.05. The results of the analysis showed a statistically significant, strong positive correlation of the three variables r = 0.84 and r = 0.88. It turns out that in the case of people working in the fitness industry, along with the increase in satisfaction with their own lives, the level of dispositional optimism and the level of generalized self-efficacy increased. It was found that three elements are interdependent among corporate employees: the belief that the higher the goals they set, the stronger their commitment to the intended behaviour, even in the face of increasing failures, satisfaction as a relatively permanent assessment of life as wholeness and optimism that inspires motivation, and perseverance and determination to achieve specific goals and make decisions.

Does optimism predict academic performance? Exploring the moderating roles of conscientiousness and gender

ABSTRACTAlthough optimistic expectations often enhance students’ academic performance, they may also lead to academic failure if they are associated with unrealistic convictions of success. The present longitudinal study examined the moderating effects of personality factor conscientiousness and gender on the relationship between dispositional optimism and academic performance. The levels of dispositional optimism and conscientiousness in 175 undergraduate students (123 women, 52 men) were assessed as predictors of their average academic score at the subsequent semester. Multiple hierarchical regressions affirmed the moderating effects of conscientiousness and gender on the relationship between dispositional optimism and academic performance. Post-hoc probing of the interactions showed that high dispositional optimism increased academic performance in women with high conscientiousness but had adverse effects on academic performance of men with low conscientiousness. These findings suggest that high conscientiousness may regulate the adverse effects of high optimism, such as unrealistic expectations and over-confidence.

Coping styles and dispositional optimism as predictors of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms intensity in paramedics.

The aim of the study was to determine the relationship between the severity of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and such predictors as coping style and dispositional optimism in the group of professional paramedics. The study was conducted in a group of 440 paramedics employed by various units of the Polish Emergency Medical Service in five voivodships. Finally, research data obtained from 159 people were analyzed. The mean age of the respondents was 34.14 (SD = 8.67), mean work experience - 9.22 years (SD = 7.67). The majority of participants were male (N = 139, 87.4%), which reflects the gender balance observed in this particular professional group. Intensity of PTSD symptoms was assessed using the Impact of Event Scale - Revised (IES-R). Dispositional optimism was evaluated by means of the Life Orientation Test - Revised (LOT-R) and coping styles were measured with the use of the multi-faceted Coping Orientations to Problems Expected (COPE) inventory. On the basis of the conducted studies, it can be concluded that PTSD concerns 28% of the participants. Hierarchical regression analysis revealed that general risk of PTSD symptoms occurrence is caused by preferred coping style, namely the emotion-focused coping style (positive predictor). Furthermore, two-factor interaction regression analysis showed that dispositional optimism can play a role as a mediator of the relationship between PTSD general index and the emotion-focused coping style. Paramedics are more prone to develop PTSD symptoms than general population. This indicates the need for preventive steps to be taken in the professional group of paramedics taking into consideration their coping styles and level of dispositional optimism.

Female Varsity Athletes’ Perceptions of How They Became Optimistic in Sport

The purpose of this study was to explore female varsity athletes’ perceptions of how they developed high levels of dispositional optimism in sport. Eighty-three female varsity athletes completed a domain-specific version of the Life Orientation Test (LOT: Scheier & Carver, 1985). Nine participants (M age = 19.33 years, SD = 1.5) who had high dispositional optimism in sport then completed individual semistructured interviews. Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis methodology was used. Results showed that during childhood, participants perceived that their parents were supportive, provided feedback, and allowed them to have choice over the sports they played. During adolescence, coaches began to play an important role and participants were also able to learn about being optimistic through the positive and negative experiences they encountered. During early adulthood, participants developed personal narratives about the ways in which they approached sport with optimism.

Pessimism and risk of death from coronary heart disease among middle-aged and older Finns: an eleven-year follow-up study.

BackgroundMortality from coronary heart disease (CHD) remains at quite notable levels. Research on the risk factors and the treatment of CHD has focused on physiological factors, but there is an increasing amount of evidence connecting mental health and personality traits to CHD, too. The data concerning the connection of CHD and dispositional optimism and pessimism as personality traits is relatively scarce. The aim of this study was to investigate the connection between optimism, pessimism, and CHD mortality.MethodsThis was an 11-year prospective cohort study on a regional sample of three cohorts, aged 52–56, 62–66, and 72–76 years at baseline (N = 2815). The levels of dispositional optimism and pessimism of the study subjects were determined at baseline using a revised version of the Life Orientation Test (LOT-R). Eleven years later, those results and follow-up data about CHD as a cause of death were used to calculate odds. Adjustments were made for cardiovascular disease risk.ResultsThose who died because of CHD were significantly more pessimistic at baseline than the others. This finding applies to both men and women. Among the study subjects in the highest quartile of pessimism, the adjusted risk of death caused by CHD was approximately 2.2-fold (OR 2.17, 95 % CI 1.21–3.89) compared to the subjects in the lowest quartile. Optimism did not seem to have any connection with the risk of CHD-induced mortality.ConclusionsPessimism seems to be a substantial risk factor for death from CHD. As an easily measured variable, it might be a very useful tool together with the other known risk factors to determine the risk of CHD-induced mortality.

Posiadane zasoby osobiste (optymizm i poczucie własnej skuteczności) a ocena jakości życia. Analiza współzależności

Badając jakość życia jako wymiar subiektywny i obiektywny, warto przyjrzeć się czynnikom indywidualnym, które mogą wpływać na jej ocenę. Artykuł ma charakter interdyscyplinarny, łącząc aspekty socjologiczne i psychologiczne. Celem jest odpowiedź na pytanie, czy istnieje współzależność pomiędzy oceną jakości życia i składających się na nią aspektów a posiadanymi zasobami osobistymi badanych: dyspozycyjnym optymizmem oraz poczuciem własnej skuteczności. W tym celu analizie poddane są dotychczasowe badania jakości życia różnych grup ludzi: zdrowych, chorych i znajdujących się w trudnych sytuacjach życiowych (bezdomność, pozbawienie wolności). U badanych zmierzony został także poziom dyspozycyjnego optymizmu oraz poczucia własnej skuteczności. Do mierzenia zasobów użyte zostały narzędzia psychologiczne: Skala Uogólnionej Własnej Skuteczności (GSES) oraz Test Orientacji Życiowej (LOT-R). Rezultaty analizy wskazują na istnienie wzajemnej, choć nie zawsze bezpośredniej zależności między omawianymi zmiennymi. Zaznacza się bardziej pośrednia rola oddziaływania optymizmu na subiektywne i obiektywne składniki jakości życia. Warunki życia mają zaś wpływ na kształtowanie i dalsze rozwijanie/ pomniejszanie posiadanych zasobów. Przeprowadzona analiza może wskazać na dalsze kierunki rozwoju polityki zdrowotnej, rodzinnej i socjalnej.

Psychological and socio-demographic correlates of women’s decisions to give birth at home

<b>Background</b><br /> Some women decide to give birth at home. They treat their home as a safe place to do so, are against medicalization of natural labour or value activity and autonomy during labour. They are also characterized by good knowledge of their own bodies and about labour in general (including labour at home).<br /> Psychological studies have revealed a correlation between labour (including the derived satisfaction) and the levels of dispositional optimism, perception of efficacy, and coping with pain. Analysis of the available demographic data shows that the decision to give birth at home is correlated with a certain socio-demographic profile of women.<br /> <br /> <b>Participants and procedures</b><br /> One hundred thirty five mothers took part in the study. Among them 72 had given birth at home and 63 in a hospital. The following were assumed as important psychological determinants: dispositional optimism, sense of self-efficacy, strategies for coping with pain and their effectiveness. The LOT-R Test, GSES Scale, CSQ Questionnaire as well as a demographic questionnaire were used in the study.<br /> <br /> <b>Results</b><br /> Women who gave birth at home were characterised by significantly higher levels of optimism and sense of self-efficacy in comparison with the other women. Women giving birth at home reinterpreted the sensations of pain more frequently than the others, who were more likely to catastrophise and pray/hope. The level of conviction about having control over pain was much higher in the experimental group. The relationship between choice of place to give birth and the level of education, marital status, area of residence as well as age is weak. Correlations between the place of birth and income, number of children as well as membership of religious communities are moderate and statistically significant.<br /> <br /> <b>Conclusions</b><br /> It is important to see and meet the different expectations of the two distinct groups of women. Today’s phenomenon of homebirth requires systematic interdisciplinary research. The system of obstetric care should get ready for the ongoing social changes. It is also necessary to systematically collect socio-demographic data of women giving birth at home. Further research, as well as the use of current results in the process of selecting women to give birth at home, is suggested.

Dispositional optimism and coping strategies in patients with a kidney transplant.

 Dispositional optimism is a personal resource that determines the coping style and adaptive response to chronic diseases. The aim of this study was to assess the correlations between dispositional optimism and coping strategies in patients with recent kidney transplantation and evaluate the differences in the use of coping strategies in accordance with the level of dispositional optimism.  Patients who were hospitalised in the nephrology department were selected consecutively after kidney transplantation was performed. The evaluation instruments were the Life Orientation Test-Revised, and the Coping Strategies Inventory. The data were analysed with central tendency measures, correlation analyses and means were compared using Student’s t-test.   66 patients with a kidney transplant participated in the study. The coping styles that characterised patients with a recent kidney transplantation were Social withdrawal and Problem avoidance. Correlations between dispositional optimism and coping strategies were significant in a positive direction in Problem-solving (p<.05) and Cognitive restructuring (p<.01), and inversely with Self-criticism (p<.05). Differences in dispositional optimism created significant differences in the Self-Criticism dimension (t=2.58; p<.01).  Dispositional optimism scores provide differences in coping responses after kidney transplantation. Moreover, coping strategies may influence the patient’s perception of emotional wellbeing after kidney transplantation.

Quality of Life and Optimism in Patients with Morphea.

Despite extensive knowledge about quality of life of people suffering from dermatological diseases, data on patients with morphea are scarce. The aim of our study was to compare the quality of life of healthy controls and morphea patients, as well as to determine the correlation of this variable with the level of dispositional optimism. The study included 47 patients with morphea and 47 healthy controls, matched for gender and age. Cantril’s Ladder and Life Orientation Test-Revised were used to assess the levels of life satisfaction and dispositional optimism, respectively. LoSSI was used for the objective assessment. The anticipated level of life quality and the level of dispositional optimism were statistically significantly lower in morphea patients (p = 0.032 and p = 0.014, respectively) when compared to controls. There were no differences in the assessment of current (p = 0.168) and past (p = 0.318) levels of life quality. Also, we proved that type of morphea did not differentiate the current (p = 0.175), past (p = 0.620) and future (p = 0.356) assessment of the quality of life. In the group of morphea patients there was a statistically significant correlation between the level of dispositional optimism and current (p = 0.002, r = 0.43), as well as anticipated (p < 0.001, r = 0.57) levels of life quality. Current level of life quality of healthy controls and morphea patients is comparable, whereas the latter anticipate their future life situation to be significantly worse than the former. Higher level of life satisfaction correlates with higher level of optimism.

Health-related quality of life, optimism, and coping strategies in persons suffering from localized scleroderma

The clinical course of localized scleroderma may consist of bodily deformations, and bodily functions may also be affected. Additionally, the secondary lesions, such as discoloration, contractures, and atrophy, are unlikely to regress. The aforementioned symptoms and functional disturbances may decrease one’s quality of life (QoL). Although much has been mentioned in the medical literature regarding QoL in persons suffering from dermatologic diseases, no data specifically describing patients with localized scleroderma exist. The aim of the study was to explore QoL in localized scleroderma patients and to examine their coping strategies in regard to optimism and QoL. The study included 41 patients with localized scleroderma. QoL was evaluated using the SKINDEX questionnaire, and levels of dispositional optimism were assessed using the Life Orientation Test-Revised. In addition, individual coping strategy was determined using the Mini-MAC scale and physical condition was assessed using the Localized Scleroderma Severity Index. The mean QoL score amounted to 51.10 points, with mean scores for individual components as follows: symptoms = 13.49 points, emotions = 21.29 points, and functioning = 16.32 points. A relationship was detected between QoL and the level of dispositional optimism as well as with coping strategies known as anxious preoccupation and helplessness–hopelessness. Higher levels of optimism predicted a higher general QoL. In turn, greater intensity of anxious preoccupied and helpless–hopeless behaviors predicted a lower QoL. Based on these results, it may be stated that localized scleroderma patients have a relatively high QoL, which is accompanied by optimism as well as a lower frequency of behaviors typical of emotion-focused coping strategies.

Dispositional optimism, perceived health competence and adherence in highly antiretroviral-experienced patients

Purpose of the study The purpose of this study was to evaluate the level of dispositional optimism (defined as an inclination to anticipate the best possible outcome), perceived health competence (defined as the perceptions related to exercising control over a particular problem or in a specific situation) and adherence to antiretroviral therapy in highly antiretroviral-experienced patients who had survived the pre-HAART era, as well as to establish the possible relationships between these psychological variables and adherence.

The association between dispositional optimism and mental health problems among disaster victims and a comparison group: A prospective study

Background It is unclear whether the associations between the level of dispositional optimism on the one hand, and depression symptoms and other health problems on the other hand among disaster victims differ from the associations among non-affected residents. Methods To assess the associations between the level of dispositional optimism and health problems among disaster victims and non-affected residents, data of the longitudinal Enschede Fireworks Disaster Study was analyzed. Participants in the present study consisted of adult native Dutch victims of the disaster ( N = 662) and a non-affected comparison group ( N = 526). Both groups participated 18 months (T1) and almost four years post-disaster (T2). Multivariate logistic regression analyses were applied to examine the association between optimism and health problems among both groups. Results Results showed that pessimistic victims were more at risk for severe depression symptoms and obsessive–compulsive symptoms than optimistic victims when controlling for demographic characteristics, life events, smoking, and existing health problems at T1. However, pessimistic participants in the comparison group were also more at risk for severe anxiety symptoms, sleeping problems, somatic problems, and problems in social functioning than optimistic control participants. Limitations We had no information on dispositional optimism before 18 months post-disaster. Conclusions Pessimists at baseline are more at risk for health problems after 27 months than optimists. However, among non-affected residents pessimism is a stronger independent risk factor than among victims. Results suggest that professional helpers such as general practitioners, psychologists and psychiatrists should not rely too much on optimistic views of disaster victims.

Optimism as a Mediator of the Relation Between Perceived Parental Authoritativeness and Adjustment Among Adolescents: Finding the Sunny Side of the Street

AbstractAuthoritative parenting has been associated with positive outcomes for children and adolescents, but less is known about the mechanisms responsible for such effects. Two longitudinal studies examined the hypothesis that the relation between authoritative parenting and adolescents’ adjustment is mediated by adolescents’ level of dispositional optimism. In Study 1, university students’ perceptions that their parents were authoritative predicted higher self‐esteem, lower depression, and better university adjustment during the students’ transition into, and throughout, university. Importantly, these relations were mediated by students’ levels of optimism. In Study 2, high school students’ perceptions that their parents were authoritative predicted higher self‐esteem and lower depression six years later when they were young adults, and these relations again were mediated by students’ level of dispositional optimism.

Effects of Pessimism and Explanatory Style on Development of Anger in Children

In this project 102 students in their first year of high school responded to questionnaires assessing their levels of dispositional optimism and pessimism, explanatory style and anger in relation to the school setting. A Partial Least Squares (PLS) path analysis examined relationships among these variables. Male students with helpless explanatory styles were more likely to experience higher levels of anger intensity and were more likely to resort to destructive school behaviour. Male students with a pessimistic disposition were also more likely to report higher levels of school hostility and destructive school behaviour. For females, helpless explanatory style and dispositional pessimism were related but the overall level of anger intensity did not appear to relate to destructive and aggressive behaviour. Overall the results suggest that anger management programs focusing on cognitive restructuring and related strategies can be a powerful means for reducing aggressive behaviours at school. The content and specific focus of such programs, however, may vary depending upon participants' gender and other considerations.

Optimism, hostility, and adjustment in the first year of high school.

The period of transition to high school is marked by large variations in student adjustment patterns. Many students make successful adjustments but others do not and are at risk of developing hostile attitudes towards their school environment. This study sought to investigate the role of optimism and pessimism in predicting the extent of hostility students express towards school. The sample consisted of 102 students who completed questionnaires at the beginning of the school year, and also in the last term of their first year at high school. Students responded to questionnaires assessing their levels of (a) dispositional optimism and pessimism, (b) personal expectancies for the occurrence of specific negative events, and (c) depression and anxiety. Additional data concerning hostility to school, perceived classroom involvement, and student adjustment (self-reported and teacher-reported) to school measures were collected at the end of the year. In general, the girls reported greater levels of positive adjustment than boys. It was found that optimism together with expectations of negative events accounted for 21% of the variance in school hostility. In addition, optimism was significantly related to classroom involvement and to students' self-reported adjustment. Teachers' ratings of student adjustment were related only to gender. Only 15 (12 male, 3 female) of the 102 students were clearly hostile towards the school. We conclude that young people are vulnerable to adjustment problems when levels of dispositional optimism are not sufficiently strong to counteract high expectations about the possibility of specific negative events occurring.