Optimism, Pessimism, and Motivation: Relations to Adjustment

Chang, Edward C.; Chang, Rita; Sanna, Lawrence J.

doi:10.1111/j.1751-9004.2009.00190.x

Cited by 30 publications

(32 citation statements)

References 77 publications

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“…In conclusion, the results of the Portuguese study with LOT-R suggest that it measures the same construct in the same way, and can be used in cross-cultural studies in western countries, considering that Western and Eastern cultures show an optimistic and pessimistic bias as Chang et al (2009) explains.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 86%

Dispositional Optimism is Unidimensional or Bidimensional? the Portuguese Revised Life Orientation Test

2012

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The aim of the study is to adapt and then discuss the appropriateness of the Life Orientation Test as a one or two dimension scale. The research includes two studies; one is composed of a sequential sample of 280 people with multiple sclerosis, 71 % female, and another includes a convenience sample of 615 individuals from the community, 51.1% female. Because the construct is built upon a theoretical assumption that has one dimension, we examine the hypothesis of one or two factor solutions through confirmatory factor analysis, and the two-dimension solution premise demonstrates better adjustment for both samples. The other psychometric properties explored show appropriate results for the Portuguese sample, and similar to the original ones; the Test therefore seems appropriate for use in cross cultural studies. Based on our results, we discuss whether the questionnaire is a one or two dimension instrument, concluding that it appears appropriate to accept the recommendations of the original authors to use it as a one-dimensional tool and, when necessary, to use both dimensions. Keywords: optimism, validation study, LOT-R dimensionality.El objetivo del estudio es adaptar y discutir la adecuación de la prueba de Orientación de la Vida en una o dos escalas de dimensión. La investigación engloba dos estudios, uno constituido por una muestra secuencial de 280 personas con esclerosis múltiple, 71% mujeres y otro con una muestra de conveniencia de la comunidad de 615 individuos, 51,1% del sexo femenino. Como el constructo se asienta sobre la presunción teórica de que tiene una dimensión, inspeccionamos la hipótesis de una o dos soluciones de factor a través del análisis factorial confirmatorio y la hipótesis de dos dimensiones manifiesta un mejor ajuste para ambas muestras. Las otras propiedades psicométricas exploradas muestran los resultados apropiados para la muestra portuguesa, y semejantes a los originales. Parece apropiado para los estudios culturales transversales. Basándonos en nuestros resultados, discutimos si el cuestionario es un instrumento de una o dos dimensiones, concluyéndose que parece conveniente seguir las recomendaciones de los autores originales, para utilizarlo como un instrumento unidimensional y, si fuera necesario necesario, utilizar cada una de las dimensiones. Palabras clave: optimismo, estudio de validación, dimensionalidad LOT-R.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 86%

Dispositional Optimism is Unidimensional or Bidimensional? the Portuguese Revised Life Orientation Test

2012

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“…Interestingly, however, the work of Sanna (1996Sanna ( , 1998 indicates that optimism is associated with downward counterfactual thinking whereas pessimism is associated with upward counterfactual thinking. Thus, it is possible that when our participants received failure feedback they became somewhat pessimistic and subsequently put less effort into studying and the second exam (Chang, Chang, & Sanna, 2009). However, our perceived skill data suggest that counterfactuals maintained an overly optimistic assessment of their overall academic competence.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 95%

“If only I could stop generating counterfactual thoughts”: When counterfactual thinking interferes with academic performance

Petrocelli

Seta

et al. 2012

Journal of Experimental Social Psychology

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“…An important question is the extent to which the knowledge derived from these studies generalizes to other groups. The information on that question is limited, but so far there have been both differences and similarities (Chang, 2002; Chang, Chang, & Sanna, 2009). …”

Section: Cultural Issuesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Optimism

Carver¹,

Scheier²,

Segerstrom³

2010

Clinical Psychology Review

1,811

1,549

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Optimism is an individual difference variable that reflects the extent to which people hold generalized favorable expectancies for their future. Higher levels of optimism have been related prospectively to better subjective well-being in times of adversity or difficulty (i.e., controlling for previous well-being). Consistent with such findings, optimism has been linked to higher levels of engagement coping and lower levels of avoidance, or disengagement, coping. There is evidence that optimism is associated with taking proactive steps to protect one's health, whereas pessimism is associated with health-damaging behaviors. Consistent with such findings, optimism is also related to indicators of better physical health. The energetic, task-focused approach that optimists take to goals also relates to benefits in the socioeconomic world. Some evidence suggests that optimism relates to more persistence in educational efforts and to higher later income. Optimists also appear to fare better than pessimists in relationships. Although there are instances in which optimism fails to convey an advantage, and instances in which it may convey a disadvantage, those instances are relatively rare. In sum, the behavioral patterns of optimists appear to provide models of living for others to learn from.

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Optimism, Pessimism, and Motivation: Relations to Adjustment

Cited by 30 publications

References 77 publications

Dispositional Optimism is Unidimensional or Bidimensional? the Portuguese Revised Life Orientation Test

Dispositional Optimism is Unidimensional or Bidimensional? the Portuguese Revised Life Orientation Test

“If only I could stop generating counterfactual thoughts”: When counterfactual thinking interferes with academic performance

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