Optimism and Health

Optimism and Health

In order to have a clear understanding about the correlation between optimism and health
an assessment needs to done. An individuals optimistic view is defined by his or her
tendency to perceive the outcome of a situation in a positive way. An individual who is
confident is reflective of his or her optimistic attitude. There have been thorough studies
directed at the relationship between optimism and health. Is it possible that psychological
well-being has an impact on health? The following information will explore this question.
Optimism and Patients
In the first reading research was conducted by Michael Scheier and Charles Carver with
the goal of validating the impact that optimism has in the recovery process (Scheier &
Carver, 1993). Their study included individuals that were pessimistic for accurate contrast
against those who reflected a more optimistic attitude. The researchers performed a sequence
of test studies that are known as empirical life orientation tests or LOT. The outcome of their
studies has remained infallible and useful in substantiating the link between mental and
physical health. Independent researchers obtained the same results with their own studies
using the LOT method. The control group consisted of individuals who had suffered a stroke.
The combined results of each study supported the theory that optimism is a lasting
characteristic throughout any negative circumstances.
How does optimism relate to physical health? Test results have concluded that when
circumstances are stressful the optimist is able to cope better than the pessimist (Scheier &
Carver, 1993). An optimist is able to accept the given situation which opens the mind to
explore the options for a favorable outcome. A negative can be turned into a positive. In a

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person who tends to be pessimistic about his or her situation stress results from not
acknowledging a problem or avoiding it. Using denial as a means of coping with a problem
makes a stressful situation worse mentally and physically. The body responds to stress with
an increase in heart rate, blood pressure, inflammation, and even depression. Each of these
responses has a negative impact on the body and therefore, health.
An additional study group was formed to further support the link between optimism and
health. This test group consisted of individuals confronted with the life threatening diagnosis
of cancer. The researchers had set out to learn if optimism was beneficial for cancer patients.
The study spanned out over a twelve month time period. Each person was followed prior to
his or her treatment and after. As with the previous study involving stroke patients the
individuals that had an optimistic attitude showed consistent progress. They were able to
accept their circumstances allowing them to focus on recovering and better health. The
patients that exhibited a pessimistic attitude tended to spend more time worrying about their
illness. The worry and negative outlook added psychological stress to their physical stress.
The final results once again supported the link between optimism and health.
Another research study was conducted by Scheier and Carver. In this study group the
LOT method was used to evaluate the impact of optimism and health in patients who needed
to have major heart surgery. The patients were followed from the day before their surgery
through the time period of six months post-op. As with the previous studies, researchers
concluded that individuals with an optimistic outlook had better recovery and health.
Participants that have an optimistic attitude before their procedure had reduced instances of
complications during their surgery. The optimist also had a much shorter period of recovery

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than the pessimist. These findings are supported by the increased activity in the optimistic
patients during their recovery (Scheier & Carver, 1993).
Optimism and Veterans
In the second reading a study is conducted to prove or disprove the role optimism plays in
people with posttraumatic stress. The LOT test was used in this study. Each of the 30
veterans were evaluated using the posttraumatic growth inventory (PTGI) method (Feder &
Southwick, et al., 2008). This research method charts the level of positive growth in the time
after the initial trauma. The test results indicated that the veterans who were optimistic about
their future continued to make positive changes compared to those who were pessimistic.
Again, optimism has proven to be beneficial toward health and well-being. In the
aftermath of severe trauma the optimistic individual moved forward. Optimism is a catalyst
for turning negative experiences into something positive. The veterans in this study that
remained steadfast in their pessimistic view hindered their own progress while the optimistic
veterans were able to regain a better quality of life (Feder & Southwick, et al., 2008).
Conclusion
Both of the studies were valid and reliable in proving the link between optimism and
health. The research was extensive and has been repeated using many different people in
varying situations. There is little room for skepticism that a person with a positive outlook
toward life will have a better overall sense of well-being. In each research study the results
favored the optimist.

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Baumgardner, S. R. and Crothers, M. .K. (2009). Positive psychology.

Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.
Scheier, M. F., & Carver, C. S. (2012). On the power of positive thinking: The
benefits of being optimistic. Current directions in psychological science.. Retrieved
September 23, 2012 from EBSCOhost database.
Feder, A, Southwick, SM, Goetz, RR, Wang, Y, Alonso, A, Smith, BW, Buchholz, KR, et al.
(2008). Posttraumatic growth in former Vietnam prisoners of war. Psychiatry:
Interpersonal & Biological Processes.. Retrieved September 23, 2012 from EBSCOhost
Database