Is dispositional optimism or dispositional pessimism predictive of ideal cardiovascular health? The Young Finns Study - UTU Research Portal

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

Abstract

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.