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Frontiers in Psychology 2016There is a growing recognition that positive psychological functioning (which includes constructs such as optimism and hope) influences health. However, the... (Review)
Review
There is a growing recognition that positive psychological functioning (which includes constructs such as optimism and hope) influences health. However, the understanding of these underlying mechanisms in relation to health is limited. Therefore, this review sought to identify what the scientific literature says about the influence of optimism and hope on chronic disease treatment. A search was conducted in the PsycINFO, Scopus, Pubmed, and Web of Science databases using the indexing terms , and between 1998 and 2015. In the articles, we identified the most studied diseases in context, the assessment instruments used, the participant characteristics investigated, the results found, and the publication dates. From our analysis of the articles that met our inclusion criteria, it appears that the study of these constructs is recent and there is evidence that individuals with greater optimism and hope seek to engage in healthier behaviors, regardless of their clinical status, and that this contributes to chronic disease treatment. More research is needed so that targeted interventions can be carried out effectively in chronic disease treatment.
PubMed: 28101071
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2016.02022 -
Behavioral Medicine (Washington, D.C.) 2019A growing body of literature provides evidence of the health-promoting effects of optimism, including its protective role in acute and chronic pain. Optimists are...
A growing body of literature provides evidence of the health-promoting effects of optimism, including its protective role in acute and chronic pain. Optimists are characterized by positive expectations concerning the future. These positive outcome expectancies lead to more and longer goal-directed efforts and the use of approach coping strategies. No systematic review on the effects of optimism on the experience of pain has so far been conducted. A search in the databases PubMed, Web of Science and PsycInfo, and the scanning of reference lists identified 69 eligible studies. These were categorized according to sample size, participants' age and sex, design, optimism-pain relation as primary vs. secondary study objective, and level of study/publication quality. Overall percentages of positive, zero, and negative associations between optimism and pain as well as relative frequencies of these associations in the different categories were analyzed. About 70% of the studies showed a positive, i.e., beneficial association between optimism and at least one pain outcome. A larger percentage of beneficial associations was found in studies with experimental designs, in studies with the optimism-pain relation as primary objective, in high-quality studies/publications, and in studies including participants with a higher average age. The review suggests that optimism is associated with less acute and chronic pain, especially since a higher percentage of beneficial associations was found with high study/publication quality and with the primary focus on this relationship. For the moderating role of age, different explanations are proposed. Further research on causal relationships and on optimism-fostering clinical interventions is needed.
Topics: Chronic Pain; Female; Humans; Male; Optimism; Pain; Quality of Life
PubMed: 30570408
DOI: 10.1080/08964289.2018.1517242 -
European Journal of Obstetrics,... May 2020To ascertain the strength of association between dispositional optimism, assessed with the Revised Life Orientation Test (LOT-R), and obstetrical outcomes, and to...
OBJECTIVE
To ascertain the strength of association between dispositional optimism, assessed with the Revised Life Orientation Test (LOT-R), and obstetrical outcomes, and to evaluate women's social characteristics that may lead to low dispositional optimism during pregnancy.
STUDY DESIGN
The research was conducted using MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Sciences, Cochrane Database, and ClinicalTrial.gov as electronic databases. The articles were identified with the use of a combination of the relevant heading term, key words, and word variants for: "optimism" or "happiness" and "pregnancy" or "obstetrical outcomes", from the inception of each database to June 2019. Review of articles also included the abstracts of all references retrieved from the search. Randomized, cohort, case-control, or case series were all accepted study designs. Only studies reporting obstetrical outcomes in women undergone LOT-R to assess dispositional optimism during pregnancy were included. Obstetrical outcomes included preterm birth, pre-eclampsia and small for gestational age fetuses. All analyses were carried out using the random effects model. Dichotomous variables were analyzed using the odds ratio (OR) with a 95 % confidence interval (95 % CI). No continuous variables were compared in the analysis. Significance level was set at P < 0.05. Heterogeneity was measured using I-squared (Higgins I).
RESULTS
Two prospective cohort studies, including 3,570 pregnancies undergone LOT-R - mostly during the second trimester - were included in the systematic review. Out of the 3,570 pregnancies included, 411 were in the lowest quartile of optimism, according to LOT-R score. Dispositional optimism showed a trend towards lower incidence of preterm birth (7.6 % vs 9.7 %; OR 0.76, CI 0.53-1.09); no difference between women at higher levels and women in the lowest quartile of optimism was found in preeclampsia and small for gestational age. Women at higher levels of dispositional optimism were significantly associated with: age ≥ 30 years; marriage or "marriage-like status"; lower rates of public assistance and smoking; white ethnicity; higher rates of higher education.
CONCLUSION
There are limited data on optimism and obstetric outcomes. Higher levels of optimism, evaluated by the LOT-R tool in two studies, are associated with a non-significant decrease in preterm birth.
Topics: Adult; Female; Humans; Optimism; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Outcome; Pregnant Women
PubMed: 32203826
DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2020.03.029 -
PloS One 2021Preterm birth(<37 gestational weeks) is associated with numerous adversities, however, data on positive developmental outcomes remain limited. We examined if preterm and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
AIM
Preterm birth(<37 gestational weeks) is associated with numerous adversities, however, data on positive developmental outcomes remain limited. We examined if preterm and term born(≥37 gestational weeks) adults differ in dispositional optimism/pessimism, a personality trait associated with health and wellbeing. We assessed if birth weight z-score, neurosensory impairments and parental education modified the outcome.
METHODS
We systematically searched PubMed and Web of Science for cohort or case-control studies(born ≥ 1970) with data on gestational age and optimism/pessimism reported using the Life-Orientation-Test-Revised in adulthood(≥18 years). The three identified studies(Helsinki Study of Very Low Birth Weight Adults; Arvo Ylppö Longitudinal Study; Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children) provided data for the two-step random-effects linear regression Individual-Participant-Data meta-analysis.
RESULTS
Preterm and term borns did not differ on optimism(p = 0.76). Preterms scored higher on pessimism than term borns(Mean difference = 0.35, 95%Confidence Interval 0.36, 0.60, p = 0.007), although not after full adjustment. Preterm born participants, but not term born participants, with higher birth weight z-score, had higher optimism scores (0.30 raw score units per standard deviation increase, 95% CI 0.10, 0.49, p = 0.003); preterm vs term x birth weight z-score interaction p = 0.004).
CONCLUSIONS
Preterm and term born adults display similar optimism. In preterms, higher birth weight may foster developmental trajectories promoting more optimistic life orientations.
Topics: Adult; Birth Weight; Female; Gestational Age; Humans; Male; Optimism; Pessimism; Premature Birth
PubMed: 34793498
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0259463 -
Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews Nov 2020Just as happy people see the proverbial glass as half-full, 'optimistic' or 'pessimistic' responses to ambiguity might also reflect affective states in animals.... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Just as happy people see the proverbial glass as half-full, 'optimistic' or 'pessimistic' responses to ambiguity might also reflect affective states in animals. Judgement bias tests, designed to measure these responses, are an increasingly popular way of assessing animal affect and there is now a substantial, but heterogeneous, literature on their use across different species, affect manipulations, and study designs. By conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis of 459 effect sizes from 71 studies of non-pharmacological affect manipulations on 22 non-human species, we show that animals in relatively better conditions, assumed to generate more positive affect, show more 'optimistic' judgements of ambiguity than those in relatively worse conditions. Overall effects are small when considering responses to all cues, but become more pronounced when non-ambiguous training cues are excluded from analyses or when focusing only on the most divergent responses between treatment groups. Task type (go/no-go; go/go active choice), training cue reinforcement (reward-punishment; reward-null; reward-reward) and sex of animals emerge as potential moderators of effect sizes in judgement bias tests.
Topics: Animals; Behavior, Animal; Cognition; Cues; Judgment; Optimism; Pessimism
PubMed: 32682742
DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.07.012 -
Journal of Pain and Symptom Management Feb 2022The impact of psychological factors on pain levels continues to be of interest throughout a cancer patient's journey. The relationship between pain and optimism has been... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
The impact of psychological factors on pain levels continues to be of interest throughout a cancer patient's journey. The relationship between pain and optimism has been described previously in patients with various diseases.
OBJECTIVES
We further investigated the effect of optimism on pain levels felt by patients diagnosed and living with cancer before and after surgery.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The search strategy for relevant articles from inception through June 2020 included five databases. The main outcome of interest was the effect of optimism on cancer-related pain.
RESULTS
We identified 482 studies. After the full-text screening, seven articles meeting the inclusion criteria were included. Seven studies were analyzed and are included in the data table. Of the seven included articles, four articles described the association of optimism with cancer pain; four articles studied the relationship between optimism and chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP), and one article investigated optimism's relationship with acute postsurgical pain (APSP). All articles observed a negative correlation between optimism and pain levels.
CONCLUSION
Despite the differences in the pathophysiology of pain types investigated, and which stage of the patient's journey pain was experienced, all studies reported a negative association with the level of optimism and pain described by patients. Therefore, promoting and supporting psychological coping techniques, including optimism for cancer patients may decrease patients' suffering, increase their quality of life at different cancer stages, and reduce opioid use.
Topics: Cancer Pain; Humans; Neoplasms; Optimism; Pain, Postoperative; Quality of Life
PubMed: 34563629
DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2021.09.008 -
International Journal of Environmental... Nov 2021Over the last 20 years, the effectiveness of positive psychology interventions for the development of the well-being of children and adolescents and the moderation of... (Review)
Review
Over the last 20 years, the effectiveness of positive psychology interventions for the development of the well-being of children and adolescents and the moderation of high levels of anxiety and depression in this population has been largely demonstrated. Emphasis has been placed on the promotion of well-being and prevention of mental health problems in the school context in order to foster, through positive psychology, the cognitive and socio-emotional development of primary and secondary students, e.g., by strengthening positive relationships, positive emotions, character strengths, optimism, and hope. However, little is known about the impact of these interventions on young children. This systematic review aims at examining the effects of positive psychology interventions on the well-being of early childhood children (<6 years old), both in the preschool education context with educators or teachers and also in the family context with parents. Several electronic databases were searched, and the findings systematically reviewed and reported by the PRISMA guidelines. Very few studies met the inclusion criteria (n = 3), highlighting the need for further research in this area. Indeed, all of the selected studies demonstrated the importance of positive psychology interventions with young children to promote positive aspects of development, such as gratitude, positive emotions, life satisfaction, accomplishment, positive relationship, or self-esteem. Limitations in the field are discussed.
Topics: Adolescent; Anxiety; Child; Child, Preschool; Emotions; Humans; Optimism; Psychology, Positive; Self Concept
PubMed: 34831827
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182212065 -
Cognitive, Affective & Behavioral... Oct 2021Optimism is a personality trait strongly associated with physical and psychological well-being, with correlates in nonhuman species. Optimistic individuals hold positive... (Review)
Review
Optimism is a personality trait strongly associated with physical and psychological well-being, with correlates in nonhuman species. Optimistic individuals hold positive expectancies for their future, have better physical and psychological health, recover faster after heart disease and other ailments, and cope more effectively with stress and anxiety. We performed a systematic review of neuroimaging studies focusing on neural correlates of optimism. A search identified 14 papers eligible for inclusion. Two key brain areas were linked to optimism: the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), involved in imagining the future and processing of self-referential information; and the inferior frontal gyrus (IFG), involved in response inhibition and processing relevant cues. ACC activity was positively correlated with trait optimism and with the probability estimations of future positive events. Behavioral measures of optimistic tendencies investigated through the belief update task correlated positively with IFG activity. Elucidating the neural underpinnings of optimism may inform both the development of prevention and treatment strategies for several mental disorders negatively associated with optimism, such as depression, as well as help to foster new resilience promotion interventions targeting healthy, vulnerable, and mentally ill individuals.
Topics: Anxiety; Brain; Brain Mapping; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Optimism; Prefrontal Cortex
PubMed: 34341967
DOI: 10.3758/s13415-021-00931-8 -
The American Journal of Medicine Jul 2022The effect of psychological health on cardiovascular disease is an underappreciated yet important area of study. Understanding the relationship between these two... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
The effect of psychological health on cardiovascular disease is an underappreciated yet important area of study. Understanding the relationship between these two entities may allow for more comprehensive care of those with cardiovascular disease. The primary objective of this meta-analysis is to evaluate the relationship between optimism and risk of developing adverse events such as all-cause mortality or fatal and non-fatal cardiovascular disease in community-based populations.
METHOD
A systematic search of electronic databases was conducted from inception through November 2021 for prospective studies evaluating optimism and adverse outcomes. Two reviewers independently selected prospective cohort studies that evaluated optimism and either all-cause mortality or cardiovascular disease and reported hazard ratios of these outcomes between optimistic and non-optimistic groups. Studies that reported odds ratio or other risk assessments were excluded. Pooled hazard ratios were calculated in random-effects meta-analyses.
RESULTS
Pooled analysis of six studies (n = 181,709) showed a pooled hazard ratio of 0.87 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.82-0.92) for all-cause mortality among those with more optimistic mindset. Analysis of seven studies (n = 201,210) showed a pooled hazard ratio of 0.59 (95% CI, 0.37-0.93) for cardiovascular disease and pooled hazard ratio of 0.57 (95% CI, 0.07-4.56) for stroke.
CONCLUSIONS
In this pooled meta-analysis, optimism was associated with a reduced risk of all-cause mortality and of cardiovascular disease. These results suggest an important relationship between psychological health and cardiovascular disease that may serve as an area for intervention by clinicians.
Topics: Cardiovascular Diseases; Humans; Proportional Hazards Models; Prospective Studies; Risk Assessment; Stroke
PubMed: 35123934
DOI: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2021.12.023 -
Psicologia, Reflexao E Critica :... Nov 2021The objective of this study was to perform a meta-analysis of publications that reported the association between dispositional optimism and depression during youth,... (Review)
Review
The objective of this study was to perform a meta-analysis of publications that reported the association between dispositional optimism and depression during youth, analyzing if the strength of this relationship varied according to potential factors. Systematic searches were carried out in APA PsycNet, Virtual Health Library, Embase, Web of Science, PubMed Central, and Scopus to collect English, Portuguese, or Spanish studies from 2009 onwards. Two reviewers selected the eligible articles, assessed the quality of each study, and extracted the data. For the synthesis of the results, a meta-analytic approach was used. We identified 4077 publications in the initial searches and 22 in the supplementary searches, from which 31 studies remained for analysis once the eligibility criteria were applied. The results showed a statistically significant negative association between dispositional optimism and depression in the young population, age being a factor that modifies the effect measure between these variables. This meta-analysis provides a consistent and robust synthesis on the interaction effect between dispositional optimism and depression in the young population. Based on these findings, early clinical admissions may effectively improve optimistic tendencies in young people, which could help them prevent depressive symptoms or episodes.
PubMed: 34842988
DOI: 10.1186/s41155-021-00202-y