A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Is dispositional optimism or dispositional pessimism predictive of ideal cardiovascular health? The Young Finns Study
Authors: Serlachius A, Pulkki-Raback L, Elovainio M, Hintsanen M, Mikkila V, Laitinen TT, Jokela M, Rosenstrom T, Josefsson K, Juonala M, Lehtimaki T, Raitakari O, Keltikangas-Jarvinen L
Publisher: TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD
Publication year: 2015
Journal: Psychology and Health
Journal name in source: PSYCHOLOGY & HEALTH
Journal acronym: PSYCHOL HEALTH
Volume: 30
Issue: 10
First page : 1221
Last page: 1239
Number of pages: 19
ISSN: 0887-0446
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/08870446.2015.1041394
Conclusion: Our findings suggest that low pessimism rather than high optimism is associated with ideal cardiovascular health, especially with health behaviours such as not smoking, being physically active and eating a healthy diet. Socio-economic status was the potential mediating or confounding factor. Future studies should examine the differential meaning of the optimism/pessimism concepts to further clarify their relation to health outcomes.