ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to investigate the relation of optimism with mental health and the affectivity of optimism training on mental health and its components on Yazd University students. Fifty new students of the 2008-2009 academic years were randomly selected. The General Health Questionnaire [GHQ-28] and the optimism scale were completed by them. Thirty persons of these students, who had the highest psychological problems based on the general health questionnaire, were divided into two case and control groups through random assignment. The case group was trained for one month, in two 90-minute sessions per week. Pre-tests and follow-up tests were performed in both groups. The results of Pearson correlation coefficients showed that optimism had a negative and significant relationship with mental health, anxiety, social function, and depression scores [p< 0.0001]. However, no significant relationship was seen with somatic symptoms [p >0.005]. Multivariate analysis of covariance showed that optimism training had significant impact on mental health and its components in the case group, compared with the control group [p< 0.0001]. In general, the findings of this research suggest the relationship between optimism and mental health and the effectiveness of optimism training on mental health. This method can be used to treat and prevent mental health problems.