The role of optimism in health-enhancing behavior.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the relationship between levels of optimism and participation in health-enhancing behaviors.


METHODS
A convenience sample of volunteers obtained from undergraduate psychology classes (N=118) completed self-report measures of optimism and current health habits. They also predicted their use of various health strategies should they be diagnosed with a life-threatening illness.


RESULTS
Analyses revealed a positive association between scores on the measure of optimism and both of the health measures.


CONCLUSIONS
The study extended earlier findings of a positive relationship between optimism and health-enhancing behaviors and demonstrated that this relationship can be observed for general health habits as well as in the context of a specific health threat.
Mulkana
S S
SS
Department of Psychology, The University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, USA.
Hailey
B J
BJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D010555:Personality Inventory; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology