title: Positive orientation: explorations on what is common to life satisfaction, self-esteem, and optimism.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Literature documents that the judgments people hold about themselves, their life, and their future are important ingredients of their psychological functioning and well-being, and are commonly related to each other.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) under the classical test theory, regression analysis, and a cross national design.
  
  
  RESULTS
  This study provides new findings attesting to the hypothesis that evaluations about oneself, one's life, and one's future rest on a common mode of viewing experiences which we named "Positive Orientation".
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results from an Italian and a Canadian study are presented, attesting to a latent dimension that lies at the core of positive evaluations and that corroborates the utility of the new construct as a critical component of individuals' well-functioning.
authors.affiliation: University of Rome "La Sapienza", Rome, Italy. gianvittorio.caprara@uniromal.it
authors.forename: Gian Vittorio
authors.initials: GV
authors.lastname: Caprara
authors.forename: Patrizia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Steca
authors.forename: Guido
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Alessandri
authors.forename: John R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Abela
authors.forename: Chad M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: McWhinnie
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D012649:Self Concept; D055815:Young Adult