Brief report: Assessing dispositional optimism in adolescence – Factor structure and concurrent validity of the Life Orientation Test – Revised

Abstract

Dispositional optimism is an individual difference promoting psychosocial adjustment and well‐being during adolescence. Dispositional optimism was originally defined as a one‐dimensional construct; however, empirical evidence suggests two correlated factors in the Life Orientation Test – Revised (LOT‐R).The main aim of the study was to evaluate the dimensionality of the LOT‐R. This study is the first attempt to identify the best factor structure, comparing congeneric, two correlated‐factor, and two orthogonal‐factor models in a sample of adolescents. Concurrent validity was also assessed.The results demonstrated the superior fit of the two orthogonal‐factor model thus reconciling the one‐dimensional definition of dispositional optimism with the bi‐dimensionality of the LOT‐R. Moreover, the results of correlational analyses proved the concurrent validity of this self‐report measure: optimism is moderately related to indices of psychosocial adjustment and well‐being.Thus, the LOT‐R is a useful, valid, and reliable self‐report measure to properly assess optimism in adolescence.

What Is the Correct Answer about The Dress’ Colors? Investigating the Relation between Optimism, Previous Experience, and Answerability

“…Personal optimism was measured with LOT-r which has six items (Monzani et al, 2014). An example of an item is “ In uncertain times, I usually expect the best .” The items were answered on a five-point scale ranging from 1 = “Do not agree” to 5 = “Totally agree .” The Swedish translation of the scale was taken from Muhonen and Torkelson (2005).…”

“…The researchers suggested several explanations to why optimists are more likely to believe that no correct answer exists. For example, optimists expect good things to happen in uncertain times (Monzani et al, 2014) which could lead to that they accept and tolerate uncertainty in the environment more than others, such as questions without correct answers. Furthermore, optimists are known to try harder and be less likely to give up goals (Muhonen and Torkelson, 2005; Carver et al, 2009).…”

Cuestionario para la evaluación del optimismo: Fiabilidad y evidencias de validez

“…Cabe destacar cómo todos estos trabajos en que se defiende la estructura bidimensional del optimismo disposicional, han empleado el LOT como instrumento de evaluación. Los resultados parecen confirmar la hipótesis propuesta por Monzani et al (2014), quienes, tras comparar diferentes estructuras factoriales en una muestra de 698 adolescentes, sostienen su unidimensionalidad. Así, estos autores confirman cómo la bidimensionalidad originalmente propuesta en el LOT-R es un resultado artificial debido a la redacción en forma positiva y negativa de los ítems y no a una estructura bifactorial realmente subyacente, la cual no refleja la naturaleza teórica real del constructo.…”

“…En cuanto a su estructura factorial, los resultados confirman la hipótesis de unidimensionalidad del constructo en población adolescente, en contraste con la propuesta bidimensional aportada por aquellos autores que, generalmente, emplean el LOT como instrumento de medida (Monzani et al, 2014).…”

“…Además de la reducida fiabilidad mostrada por el instrumento, hay que añadir la recurrente inconsistencia en cuanto a su estructura factorial, siendo posible encontrar trabajos que abogan tanto por su unidimensionalidad como por la bidimensionalidad originalmente planteada por sus autores OptimismO en jóvenes españOles (Monzani et al, 2014;Rauch et al, 2007;Segerstrom, Evans y Eisenlohr-Moul, 2011;Zenger et al, 2013).…”