title: Always looking on the bright side of life? Exploring optimism and health in three UK post-industrial urban settings.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Many theories have been proposed to explain the high levels of 'excess' mortality (i.e. higher mortality over and above that explained by differences in socio-economic circumstances) shown in Scotland-and, especially, in its largest city, Glasgow-compared with elsewhere in the UK. One such proposal relates to differences in optimism, given previously reported evidence of the health benefits of an optimistic outlook.
  
  
  METHODS
  A representative survey of Glasgow, Liverpool and Manchester was undertaken in 2011. Optimism was measured by the Life Orientation Test (Revised) (LOT-R), and compared between the cities by means of multiple linear regression models, adjusting for any differences in sample characteristics.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Unadjusted analyses showed LOT-R scores to be similar in Glasgow and Liverpool (mean score (SD): 14.7 (4.0) for both), but lower in Manchester (13.9 (3.8)). This was consistent in analyses by age, gender and social class. Multiple regression confirmed the city results: compared with Glasgow, optimism was either similar (Liverpool: adjusted difference in mean score: -0.16 (95% CI -0.45 to 0.13)) or lower (Manchester: -0.85 (-1.14 to -0.56)).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The reasons for high levels of Scottish 'excess' mortality remain unclear. However, differences in psychological outlook such as optimism appear to be an unlikely explanation.
authors.affiliation: Glasgow Centre for Population Health, House 6, 94 Elmbank Street, Glasgow G2 4DL, Scotland.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Walsh
authors.affiliation: NHS Health Scotland, Glasgow, Scotland.
authors.forename: Gerry
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: McCartney
authors.affiliation: NHS Health Scotland, Glasgow, Scotland.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: McCullough
authors.affiliation: Health Economics Research Unit (HERU), University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland.
authors.forename: Marjon
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: van der Pol
authors.affiliation: ISD Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland.
authors.forename: Duncan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Buchanan
authors.affiliation: Glasgow Centre for Population Health, House 6, 94 Elmbank Street, Glasgow G2 4DL, Scotland.
authors.forename: Russell
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jones
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D016014:Linear Models; D008875:Middle Aged; D009026:Mortality; D000067656:Optimism / Q000523:psychology*; D012606:Scotland / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Glasgow; Life Orientation Test (Revised); excess mortality; optimism; post-industrial