title: Health risk perception, optimistic bias, and personal satisfaction.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine change in risk perception and optimistic bias concerning behavior-linked health threats and environmental health threats between adolescence and young adulthood and how these factors related to personal satisfaction.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 1996 and 2002, 1624 adolescents responded to a mailed questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Adolescents showed strong positive optimistic bias concerning behaviorlinked risks, and this optimistic bias increased with age. Increase in optimistic bias over time predicted increase in personal satisfaction.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The capacity to process and perceive potential threats in a positive manner might be a valuable human ability positively influencing personal satisfaction and well-being.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health Sciences, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden. richard.branstrom@ki.se
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bränström
authors.forename: Yvonne
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Brandberg
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D015982:Bias; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010549:Personal Satisfaction