Brief report: Assessing dispositional optimism in adolescence--factor structure and concurrent validity of the Life Orientation Test--Revised.
Dispositional optimism is an individual difference promoting psychosocial adjustment and well-being during adolescence. Dispositional optimism was originally defined as a one-dimensional construct; however, empirical evidence suggests two correlated factors in the Life Orientation Test - Revised (LOT-R). The main aim of the study was to evaluate the dimensionality of the LOT-R. This study is the first attempt to identify the best factor structure, comparing congeneric, two correlated-factor, and two orthogonal-factor models in a sample of adolescents. Concurrent validity was also assessed. The results demonstrated the superior fit of the two orthogonal-factor model thus reconciling the one-dimensional definition of dispositional optimism with the bi-dimensionality of the LOT-R. Moreover, the results of correlational analyses proved the concurrent validity of this self-report measure: optimism is moderately related to indices of psychosocial adjustment and well-being. Thus, the LOT-R is a useful, valid, and reliable self-report measure to properly assess optimism in adolescence.
Department of Psychology, University of Milano - Bicocca, Piazza dell'Ateneo Nuovo, 1, 20126 Milano, Italy. Electronic address: dario.monzani@unimib.it.
Dario
D
Monzani
Department of Psychology, University of Milano - Bicocca, Piazza dell'Ateneo Nuovo, 1, 20126 Milano, Italy. Electronic address: patrizia.steca@unimib.it.
Patrizia
P
Steca
Department of Psychology, University of Milano - Bicocca, Piazza dell'Ateneo Nuovo, 1, 20126 Milano, Italy. Electronic address: a.greco9@campus.unimib.it.
Andrea
A
Greco
D000293:Adolescent; D000339:Affect; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D006801:Humans; D010551:Personality; D010556:Personality Tests; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D057566:Self Report; D012647:Self-Assessment
Confirmatory factor analysis; Dispositional optimism; Life Orientation Test – Revised; Validity