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Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics 2022Resilience and optimism have been proposed as psychological resources which may help to cope better with work demands, preventing negative consequences of stress,...
BACKGROUND
Resilience and optimism have been proposed as psychological resources which may help to cope better with work demands, preventing negative consequences of stress, whereas external locus of control (ELC) is considered an intra-psychic vulnerability factor associated with increased burnout. Noteworthy, the specific role of these overlapping constructs on the prevention of burnout and promotion of work engagement, respectively, remains unclear.
OBJECTIVE
The main aim of this study was to compare the differential significance of resilience and optimism, joined with ELC, on the prediction of burnout and work engagement.
METHOD
A sample of 265 professional caregivers of dependent older adults was assessed using an extensive standardized protocol. Optimism and ELC were measured using the Palenzuela's Battery of Generalised Expectancies of Control, and the Connor-Davidson Scale was used to estimate resilience. Moreover, the Maslach Burnout Inventory and the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale were used to measure burnout and work engagement, respectively. Different hierarchical regression models were conducted with burnout and work engagement as dependent factors.
RESULTS
The results showed that more than half (51%) variance in resilience was accounted by grounded optimism scores. The ELC was the main explanatory factor of burnout, whereas optimism and resilience were the best predictors of work engagement. Finally, even after controlling the effect of resilience, the effect of optimism remained significant for predicting work engagement.
CONCLUSIONS
These findings support distinctive role resilience and optimism, two closely related psychological constructs, for promoting work engagement and reducing burnout in professional caregivers of older adults.
Topics: Adaptation, Psychological; Aged; Burnout, Professional; Caregivers; Humans; Optimism; Resilience, Psychological; Surveys and Questionnaires; Work Engagement
PubMed: 35182990
DOI: 10.1016/j.archger.2022.104657 -
Psychology & Health Jun 2022The aim of this study was to examine psychometric properties of the Life Orientation Test-Revised (LOT-R).
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to examine psychometric properties of the Life Orientation Test-Revised (LOT-R).
DESIGN AND MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
The LOT-R was administered in five clinical samples, three samples of the adult general population, and one sample of adolescents. Seven of the studies were performed in Germany and two in Colombia. All of the sample sizes were above 300.
RESULTS
Cronbach's alpha coefficients were between .57 and .75 for the eight adult samples, the correlations between the scales optimism and pessimism ranged from -.05 to -.37, and the coefficients of temporal stability (test-retest correlations) of the scales ranged from .43 to .69. There were no systematic age and gender effects observed in the nine studies. While the one-factor model of confirmatory factor analyses showed clearly insufficient fit indices among all of the samples, the two-factor model fit was markedly better.
CONCLUSIONS
The LOT-R proved to be a suitable instrument for measuring dispositional optimism in patients and in the general population, though the sum score should be viewed with caution. Studies comparing the LOT-R mean scores of different samples need not take age and gender distributions into account.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Factor Analysis, Statistical; Humans; Optimism; Personality; Pessimism; Psychometrics; Reproducibility of Results; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 33754894
DOI: 10.1080/08870446.2021.1892111 -
International Journal of Environmental... Oct 2020The purpose of the study was to understand the effects of gender and age on anxiety, optimism, resilience and engagement in a group of older adults. An observational,... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
The purpose of the study was to understand the effects of gender and age on anxiety, optimism, resilience and engagement in a group of older adults. An observational, quantitative, descriptive and transversal design was used with non-probabilistic sampling. Descriptive statistical analyses, reliability tests (Cronbach's alpha) and linear correlation tests (Pearson's) were performed, and the development of multivariate linear regression models was conducted. Female participants in the sample had higher levels in anxiety and pessimism, while male participants scored higher in optimism, engagement and resilience. Participants who practiced physical activity (PA) had better scores in optimism, engagement and resilience. The sample comprised 55.1% men and 44.9% women, between the ages of 51 and 93, with an average of 68.1 years, all participants completed the questionnaire Anxiety Scale-2 (SAS-2) the Revised Life Orientation Test (LOT-R) the short version of the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale questionnaire (UWES-9) the short version of the CD-RISC. As for marital status, there were significant differences between single participants and romantic partner. Singles participants showed higher levels of anxiety than their married counterparts, while those in a relationship scored higher in optimism, engagement and resilience. The model was statistically significant (9;352) = 14.6; < 0.001, explaining 27% of the variance in optimism. The data indicated that PA practice and living with a partner in an inland area is associated with less anxiety, which may have implications for programs and activities designed for older adults.
Topics: Adaptation, Psychological; Age Factors; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Anxiety; Anxiety Disorders; Exercise; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Optimism; Pessimism; Quality of Life; Resilience, Psychological; Sex Factors
PubMed: 33080876
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17207561 -
Human Brain Mapping Aug 2023Optimism bias is the tendency to believe desirable events are more likely to happen than undesirable ones. People often display optimistic biases for themselves...
Optimism bias is the tendency to believe desirable events are more likely to happen than undesirable ones. People often display optimistic biases for themselves (personal optimism), but also for members of groups they like or identify with (social optimism). However, the neural bases of and connections between these two concepts are poorly understood. The present study hence used both questionnaires and a social optimism task performed during magnetic resonance imaging to investigate how network connectivity associates with personal and social optimism biases. Using sparse canonical correlation analysis, we found that a behavioral dimension that included both in-group optimism bias and personal optimism bias was positively associated with a dimension of network connectivity. This dimension comprised two networks with positive weights (dorsal precuneus-related default mode network and dorsal sensorimotor network), and three with negative weights (including parts of the salience and central executive networks). Our findings indicate that connectivity in networks adjacent to the temporoparietal junction favors propagation of both personal and social optimism biases. Meanwhile, low connectivity in more frontal networks associated with more complex cognition may also further such propagation.
Topics: Humans; Brain Mapping; Brain; Optimism; Cognition; Magnetic Resonance Imaging
PubMed: 37341428
DOI: 10.1002/hbm.26400 -
International Journal of Environmental... Aug 2020Optimism and self-efficacy have been associated with psychological health. Empathy has also been found to have a unique role in community health volunteering and promote...
Optimism and self-efficacy have been associated with psychological health. Empathy has also been found to have a unique role in community health volunteering and promote positive functioning. This study investigated whether self-efficacy and optimism were associated with psychological health in terms of psychological and subjective well-being in healthcare volunteers. It also investigated whether empathy added to the explanation of psychological health, over and above that accounted for by self-efficacy and optimism. A convenience sample of 160 Italian clown doctors volunteering in various hospitals completed self-report measures of self-efficacy, optimism, empathy, psychological well-being, and subjective well-being. Results of hierarchical multiple regression analysis indicated that self-efficacy and optimism were associated with both outcomes and that aspects of empathy, such as others' perspective taking and personal distress for others' difficulties, added to the explanation of psychological health with opposite effects. The present study adds to previous research on the role of self-efficacy, optimism, and empathy for community health volunteers' psychological health. It also offers suggestions regarding the training for this type of volunteer.
Topics: Empathy; Female; Health Personnel; Humans; Male; Mental Health; Optimism; Self Efficacy; Volunteers
PubMed: 32824812
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17166001 -
JPMA. the Journal of the Pakistan... Dec 2021To explore the relationship of interpersonal problems, optimism and coping styles among women with conversion disorder.
OBJECTIVE
To explore the relationship of interpersonal problems, optimism and coping styles among women with conversion disorder.
METHODS
The correlational study was conducted from August to October 2017 at different hospitals in Lahore, Pakistan, and comprised 50 women aged 12-60 years who had been diagnosed with conversion disorder. The translated version of Interpersonal Problem-32, brief version of Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced, and Life Orientation Test-Revised tools were used to collect data and to assess the relationship of optimism, interpersonal problems, optimism and copying styles. Data was analysed using SPSS 23.
RESULTS
Of the 50 women approached, 49(98%) responded on variables questionnaires with a mean age of 24.44±10.29. Among the total, 20(40%) belonged to very low socioeconomic class and 17(34%) belonged to the low socioeconomic class. An inverse relationship was found between the variables of interpersonal problems and optimism (r= -0.067). Self-blaming coping style was significantly correlated with the disorder (r=0.294; p<0.05). Positive relationship was also found between coping by emotional support (r=0.198) and pessimism (r=0.018). Social inhibition had positive correlation with behavioural disengagement (r=0.122).
CONCLUSIONS
Social inhibition self-blaming non-adaptive ways, pessimism, optimism and the interpersonal problem of behavioural disengagement were found to be associated with each other among women with conversion disorder.
Topics: Adaptation, Psychological; Adolescent; Adult; Child; Conversion Disorder; Dissociative Disorders; Female; Humans; Middle Aged; Optimism; Surveys and Questionnaires; Young Adult
PubMed: 35150526
DOI: 10.47391/JPMA.01-401 -
Politics and the Life Sciences : the... Nov 2023While there have always been those in the American public who mistrust science and scientists' views of the world, they have tended to be a minority of the larger...
While there have always been those in the American public who mistrust science and scientists' views of the world, they have tended to be a minority of the larger public. Recent COVID-19 related events indicate that could be changing for some key groups. What might explain the present state of mistrust of science within an important component of the American public? In this study, we delve deeply into this question and examine what citizens today believe about science and technology and why, focusing on core theories of trust, risk concern, and political values and on the important role of science optimism and pessimism orientations. Using national public survey data, we examine the correlates of science optimism and pessimism and test the efficacy of this construct as drivers of biotechnology policy. We find that science optimism and pessimism are empirically useful constructs and that they are important predictors of biotechnology policy choices.
Topics: Humans; Biotechnology; Optimism; Pessimism; Policy; Trust; United States
PubMed: 37987570
DOI: 10.1017/pls.2023.9 -
Psychological Reports Jun 2021The primary objective of this study is to compare the construct, convergent and divergent validity and the reliability of three optimism scales. The study relied on a...
The primary objective of this study is to compare the construct, convergent and divergent validity and the reliability of three optimism scales. The study relied on a nonprobability sample of 100 social work students at Western Michigan University in the United States (Seventy-nine percent of the sample were female, and 21% were male). The sample's mean age was 26.35 years, SD = 7.70. Sixty-nine percent (69%) of the respondents self-identified as White, and 31% self-identified as African American, Hispanic/Latino, multiethnic, Native American or Asian American. The study used confirmatory factor and multiple regression analyses (CFA and MRA). The findings show that the Life Orientation Test-Revised (LOT-R) and the Personal Optimism Scale (POS) were supported by three indicators of goodness of fit, while the Brief Interactive Optimism Scale-Garcia (BIOS-G) was supported by eight. The LOT-R showed no acceptable internal consistency indicators, but the POS and the BIOS-G showed several good internal consistency indicators. Correlations of all of these scales with the Physical Well-being Scale-Garcia (PWS-G) ranged from r (100) = .303, p = .002 to r (100) = .439, p = .000. The three scales had divergent validity because their scores did not differ by gender (LOT-R: t(100) = -.885, p = .383; POS: t(100) = -.263, p = .794; BIOS-G: t(100) = -.840, p = .407). The findings suggest the advisability of recommending the BIOS-G, which is short and easy to use and understand.
Topics: Adult; Factor Analysis, Statistical; Female; Humans; Male; Michigan; Optimism; Psychometrics; Reproducibility of Results; Students; Universities
PubMed: 32576093
DOI: 10.1177/0033294120933144 -
JAMA Network Open Sep 2019Optimism and pessimism can be easily measured and are potentially modifiable mindsets that may be associated with cardiovascular risk and all-cause mortality. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
IMPORTANCE
Optimism and pessimism can be easily measured and are potentially modifiable mindsets that may be associated with cardiovascular risk and all-cause mortality.
OBJECTIVE
To conduct a meta-analysis and systematic review of the association between optimism and risk for future cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality.
DATA SOURCES AND STUDY SELECTION
PubMed, Scopus, and PsycINFO electronic databases were systematically searched from inception through July 2, 2019, to identify all cohort studies investigating the association between optimism and pessimism and cardiovascular events and/or all-cause mortality by using the following Medical Subject Heading terms: optimism, optimistic explanatory style, pessimism, outcomes, endpoint, mortality, death, cardiovascular events, stroke, coronary artery disease, coronary heart disease, ischemic heart disease, and cardiovascular disease.
DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS
Data were screened and extracted independently by 2 investigators (A.R. and C.B.). Adjusted effect estimates were used, and pooled analysis was performed using the Hartung-Knapp-Sidik-Jonkman random-effects model. Sensitivity and subgroup analyses were performed to assess the robustness of the findings. The Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) reporting guideline was followed.
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES
Cardiovascular events included a composite of fatal cardiovascular mortality, nonfatal myocardial infarction, stroke, and/or new-onset angina. All-cause mortality was assessed as a separate outcome.
RESULTS
The search yielded 15 studies comprising 229 391 participants of which 10 studies reported data on cardiovascular events and 9 studies reported data on all-cause mortality. The mean follow-up period was 13.8 years (range, 2-40 years). On pooled analysis, optimism was significantly associated with a decreased risk of cardiovascular events (relative risk, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.51-0.78; P < .001), with high heterogeneity in the analysis (I2 = 87.4%). Similarly, optimism was significantly associated with a lower risk of all-cause mortality (relative risk, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.80-0.92; P < .001), with moderate heterogeneity (I2 = 73.2%). Subgroup analyses by methods for assessment, follow-up duration, sex, and adjustment for depression and other potential confounders yielded similar results.
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
The findings suggest that optimism is associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality. Future studies should seek to better define the biobehavioral mechanisms underlying this association and evaluate the potential benefit of interventions designed to promote optimism or reduce pessimism.
Topics: Cause of Death; Coronary Artery Disease; Humans; Myocardial Infarction; Optimism; Stroke
PubMed: 31560385
DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2019.12200 -
International Journal of Environmental... Sep 2022Rapid technological developments enable the immediate transmission of armed conflict events through a variety of media channels, inducing mass anxiety, fear, and...
BACKGROUND
Rapid technological developments enable the immediate transmission of armed conflict events through a variety of media channels, inducing mass anxiety, fear, and helplessness. Youth are particularly vulnerable and face new challenges as a result of this exposure. The effects of media exposure to such events on psychological distress and post-traumatic symptoms were examined.
METHODS
A total of 161 participants aged 13-18 years completed a questionnaire battery that included measures of media exposure to armed conflict events, previous direct exposure to armed conflict events, psychological distress, post-traumatic symptoms, dispositional optimism, and self-mastery. A structural equation model (SEM) approach was employed for data analysis.
RESULTS
The extent of media exposure to armed conflict was directly associated with psychological distress and post-traumatic symptoms. Dispositional optimism moderated the association between media exposure and psychological distress, while self-mastery moderated the association between media exposure and post-traumatic symptoms. The effects of the Internet factor of media exposure, which included social media, were particularly disturbing as neither of the resilience factors moderated negative outcomes.
CONCLUSIONS
The findings suggest that clinical interventions to enhance dispositional optimism and self-mastery as well as other potential resilience factors can protect adolescents from the severe effects of media exposure to violent armed conflict events. Developmental and public health implications related to vulnerabilities and resilience during adolescence are discussed.
Topics: Adolescent; Armed Conflicts; Humans; Optimism; Personality; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 36141487
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191811216