OPTIMISM AND HEALTH

• Authors: Szondy Mate
• Languages of publication: HU

Abstracts

EN

The paper studies the literature on the connection between optimism constructs (dispositional optimism, attributional optimism, unrealistic optimism, therapy-specific optimism) and physical health. Most of the reviewed studies find a positive connection between optimism and health indicators. The optimists have less symptoms measured both subjectively and objectively. Optimism is connected to better immune functions (with the exception of the presence of uncontrollable stressors) and a faster rate of recovery. Optimists live longer compared to less optimistic people. There are several factors influencing the positive connection between optimism and health. The optimists have less stressors, evaluate them differently and cope with them differently than pessimists. The level of optimism influences the health behaviour and sickness behaviour. Finally it is possible that a third variable, neuroticism, influences the connection between optimism and health. The article's view is critical and stresses the theoretical and methodological difficulties of the field.

Keywords

EN

COPING; OPTIMISM; PHYSICAL HEALTH; STRESS

Discipline

• PSYCHOLOGY: PSYCHOLOGY

• Publisher: Hungarian Association for Psychology
• Journal: Magyar Pszichologiai Szemle (Hungarian Psychological Review)
• Year: 2006
• Volume: 61
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 617-636
• Document type: ARTICLE

Contributors

author

Szondy Mate

• Mate Szondy, no address given, contact the journal editor

Identifiers

CEJSH db identifier

10HUAAAA073225