title: Optimism and health-relevant cognitions after a myocardial infarction.
abstract: The relationship between dispositional optimism (LOT) and health-relevant cognitions after a myocardial infarction was examined with 158 patients (mean age = 52.7 +/- 8.1 yr.). Patients above the median on optimism (i.e., optimists) scored significantly lower on perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, and experienced fear than did pessimists. However, no difference on perceived self-efficacy was reported between optimists and pessimists. It is concluded that these results provide further evidence for the LOT's construct validity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Education, Laval University, Ste-Foy, Québec, Canada.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Desharnais
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Godin
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jobin
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Valois
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ross
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D010552:Personality Assessment; D012008:Recurrence; D012803:Sick Role