Journal ArticleDOI
Dispositional optimism and recovery from coronary artery bypass surgery: the beneficial effects on physical and psychological well-being.
Michael F. Scheier,Karen A. Matthews,Jane F. Owens,GJ Magovern,Richard Lefebvre,RA Abbott,Charles S. Carver +6 more
TLDR
There was a strong positive association between level of optimism and postsurgical quality of life at 6 months and dispositional optimism (as assessed prior to surgery) correlated positively with manifestations of problem-focused coping and negatively with the use of denial.Abstract:
The effect of dispositional optimism on recovery from coronary artery bypass surgery was examined in a group of 51 middle-aged men. Patients provided information at three points in time--(a) on the day before surgery, (b) 6-8 days postoperatively, and (c) 6 months postoperatively. Information was obtained relating to the patient's rate of physical recovery, mood, and postsurgical quality of life. Information was also gathered regarding the manner in which the patients attempted to cope with the stress of the surgery and its aftermath. As expected, dispositional optimism proved to be an important predictor of coping efforts and of surgical outcomes. More specifically, dispositional optimism (as assessed prior to surgery) correlated positively with manifestations of problem-focused coping and negatively with the use of denial. Dispositional optimism was also associated with a faster rate of physical recovery during the period of hospitalization and with a faster rate of return to normal life activities subsequent to discharge. Finally, there was a strong positive association between level of optimism and postsurgical quality of life at 6 months.read more
Citations
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Illusion and well-being: a social psychological perspective on mental health
TL;DR: Research suggesting that certain illusions may be adaptive for mental health and well-being is reviewed, examining evidence that a set of interrelated positive illusions—namely, unrealistically positive self-evaluations, exaggerated perceptions of control or mastery, and unrealistic optimism—can serve a wide variety of cognitive, affective, and social functions.
Journal ArticleDOI
Distinguishing optimism from neuroticism (and trait anxiety, self-mastery, and self-esteem): a reevaluation of the Life Orientation Test
TL;DR: Examination of the scale on somewhat different grounds, however, does suggest that future applications can benefit from its revision, and a minor modification to the Life Orientation Test is described, along with data bearing on the revised scale's psychometric properties.
Journal ArticleDOI
The Benefits of Frequent Positive Affect: Does Happiness Lead to Success?
TL;DR: The results reveal that happiness is associated with and precedes numerous successful outcomes, as well as behaviors paralleling success, and the evidence suggests that positive affect may be the cause of many of the desirable characteristics, resources, and successes correlated with happiness.
Journal ArticleDOI
Positive affect and the other side of coping.
TL;DR: The authors focus on one such outcome, positive affect, and review findings about the co-occurrence of positive affect with negative affect during chronic stress, the adaptive functions of positive Affect during chronic Stress, and a special class of meaning-based coping processes that support positive affect during Chronic stress.
Journal ArticleDOI
Effects of optimism on psychological and physical well-being: Theoretical overview and empirical update
TL;DR: In this article, a review of the beneficial effects of optimism on psychological and physical well-being is presented, focusing on how optimism may lead a person to cope more adaptively with stress.
References
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Journal ArticleDOI
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