Religious and Spiritual Practices: Association with Dispositional Optimism in an Underprivileged Population in Lascano, Uruguay.

Optimism seems to foster the ability to manage adverse situations better-a finding especially relevant for disadvantaged populations. Employing a unique sample from a small underprivileged village, we studied the association between religious/spiritual practices and dispositional optimism. The village belongs to a developing country that is, by far, the most secular country in Latin America; this makes it particularly interesting for exploring the role of religious/spiritual practices in this context. We found that these practices were positively associated with higher optimism, measured by the Life Orientation Test-Revised (LOT-R): those who practice spirituality, score, on average, 14.4 percentage points higher on the LOT-R than those who did not. This association seems to be especially robust in the case of the poor and less educated: those with religious/spiritual practices score 20 percentage points higher on the LOT-R. Thus, the role that these practices may play in dispositional optimism in disadvantaged populations deserves more attention.

Association between the dispositional optimism and depression in young people: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

The objective of this study was to perform a meta-analysis of publications that reported the association between dispositional optimism and depression during youth, analyzing if the strength of this relationship varied according to potential factors. Systematic searches were carried out in APA PsycNet, Virtual Health Library, Embase, Web of Science, PubMed Central, and Scopus to collect English, Portuguese, or Spanish studies from 2009 onwards. Two reviewers selected the eligible articles, assessed the quality of each study, and extracted the data. For the synthesis of the results, a meta-analytic approach was used. We identified 4077 publications in the initial searches and 22 in the supplementary searches, from which 31 studies remained for analysis once the eligibility criteria were applied. The results showed a statistically significant negative association between dispositional optimism and depression in the young population, age being a factor that modifies the effect measure between these variables. This meta-analysis provides a consistent and robust synthesis on the interaction effect between dispositional optimism and depression in the young population. Based on these findings, early clinical admissions may effectively improve optimistic tendencies in young people, which could help them prevent depressive symptoms or episodes.

Association between the dispositional optimism and depression in young people: a systematic review and meta-analysis

The objective of this study was to perform a meta-analysis of publications that reported the association between dispositional optimism and depression during youth, analyzing if the strength of this relationship varied according to potential factors. Systematic searches were carried out in APA PsycNet, Virtual Health Library, Embase, Web of Science, PubMed Central, and Scopus to collect English, Portuguese, or Spanish studies from 2009 onwards. Two reviewers selected the eligible articles, assessed the quality of each study, and extracted the data. For the synthesis of the results, a meta-analytic approach was used. We identified 4077 publications in the initial searches and 22 in the supplementary searches, from which 31 studies remained for analysis once the eligibility criteria were applied. The results showed a statistically significant negative association between dispositional optimism and depression in the young population, age being a factor that modifies the effect measure between these variables. This meta-analysis provides a consistent and robust synthesis on the interaction effect between dispositional optimism and depression in the young population. Based on these findings, early clinical admissions may effectively improve optimistic tendencies in young people, which could help them prevent depressive symptoms or episodes. (AU)

Distinct Routes to Understand the Relationship Between Dispositional Optimism and Life Satisfaction: Self-Control and Grit, Positive Affect, Gratitude, and Meaning in Life.

Over the last years, understanding the implications of prospective thinking toward the future has become of increasing interest. This study aims to delve into the relation between dispositional optimism, one of the most relevant prospective constructs, and life satisfaction. Additionally, we also seek to prove the mediating effect of different cognitive and affective variables associated with both hedonic and eudaimonic well-being on this relationship. A first study is conducted with 275 secondary students to assess the relationship between optimism and life satisfaction through self-control and grit (14.82, SD = 1.07), which indicates a mediating effect of grit but not of self-control. A second study is carried out with 1,356 university students (21.5, SD = 2.35) to demonstrate the mediating effect of positive affect on dispositional optimism and life satisfaction. Results show a strong relationship between optimism and positive affect, but no mediating effect on life satisfaction. Finally, a third study comprising 371 secondary students (14.12, SD = 1.78) demonstrates the existence of a serial multiple mediation from gratitude and meaning in life over the relationship between optimism and life satisfaction. Implications are discussed in terms of how prospective variables like dispositional optimism may lead to an increase in subjective well-being (SWB) through different affective and cognitive mechanisms.

Otimismo Disposicional, Afetos e Personalidade em Pacientes com Doença Renal Crônica / Dispositional Optimism, Affects and Personality in Patients with Chronic Renal Disease / Optimismo Disposicional, Afectos y Personalidad en Pacientes con Enfermedad Renal Crónica

Este estudo investiga relações entre otimismo disposicional, afetos e traços de personalidade em pacientes com doença renal crônica que aguardam por um transplante renal (grupo pré-transplante) e em pacientes que já fizeram o procedimento (grupo pós-transplante). Teve como objetivos específicos: verificar se houve diferença nos escores desses três constructos nas duas amostras; se houve diferenças de desempenho no teste de otimismo e na escala de afetos em função do tempo de transplante; e se houve diferenças de desempenho no teste de otimismo e na escala de afetos em função do tempo de espera em lista. A pesquisa contou com quinze participantes em cada grupo sendo usados quatro instrumentos para coleta de dados: questionário sociodemográfico, Teste para avaliar o Otimismo (LOT-R), Inventário dos Cinco Grandes Fatores (NEO-FFI-R) e Escala de Afetos Positivos e Afetos Negativos (Panas). Os resultados indicaram maior otimismo nos participantes do grupo Pré-transplante (Md = 29; IIQ = 2) comparado com os do grupo Pós-transplante (Md = 26; IIQ = 1). Conclui-se que no grupo pré-transplante, o otimismo disposicional não se associou de maneira significativa com nenhum fator de personalidade, o que pode indicar que o otimismo esteja voltado para um objetivo-alvo, mais do que para expectativas gerais de que coisas boas aconteçam e se evidencia como fator de proteção da personalidade, ou como mecanismo de ajustamento à condição crítica de hemodiálise. O tempo passado em lista de espera e de realização do transplante não tiveram associação significativa às demais variáveis....(AU)

This study investigated the relationship between dispositional optimism, affects and personality traits in patients with Chronic Renal Disease who are waiting for a renal transplant (Pre-Transplant Group) and in patients who have already undergone the procedure (PostTransplant Group). The specifics aims were to evaluate differences in construct scores between the groups, differences in performance on the optimism test and the affect scale associated with the waiting time in list, and differences in performance on the optimism test and the affect scale associated with the time of transplantation. Thirty people participated in the survey (fifteen in each group) and four instruments were used for data collection: sociodemographic questionnaire, Life Orientation Test (LOT-R), Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI-R), and Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS). The results indicated greater optimism among the participants in the pretransplant group (Md = 29, IQR = 2) compared to those in the post-transplant group (Md = 26, IQR = 1). In the pre-transplant group, dispositional optimism was not significantly associated with any personality factor, which may indicate that optimism in this group is focused on a target objective rather than to general expectations that good things happen. Optimism overlaps with the general characteristics of the subject and is evidenced as a personality protection factor, or as a mechanism of adjustment to the critical condition of hemodialysis. The waiting list time, as well as the time of transplantation, did not show a significant association with the other variables....(AU)

Este estudio objetivó investigar relaciones entre optimismo disposicional, afectos y rasgos de personalidad en pacientes con enfermedad renal crónica que esperan un trasplante renal (grupo pretrasplante) y en pacientes que ya fueron sometidos al procedimiento (grupo postrasplante). Los objetivos específicos fueron: evaluar si hay diferencia de puntuaciones de los constructos entre los grupos; si hay diferencias de desempeño en la prueba de optimismo y la escala de afectos en función del tiempo de trasplante; y si hay diferencias de desempeño en el test de optimismo y en la escala en función del tiempo de espera en la lista. La investigación tuvo quince participantes en cada grupo y se utilizaron cuatro instrumentos para recopilar los datos: cuestionario sociodemográfico, Test de Optimismo (LOT-R), Inventario de los Cinco Grandes Factores (NEO-FFI-R) y Escala de Afectos Positivos y Afectos Negativos (PANAS). Los resultados mostraron mayor optimismo en el grupo pretransplante (Md = 29, IIQ = 2) en comparación con el grupo postransplante (Md = 26, IIQ = 1). Se concluye que, en el grupo pretrasplante, el optimismo disposicional no se asoció de manera significativa con ningún factor de personalidad, lo que puede indicar que el optimismo esté más orientado hacia un objetivo que hacia expectativas generales de que cosas buenas pueden suceder y se evidencia como un factor de protección de la personalidad, o como un mecanismo de ajuste a la condición crítica de hemodiálisis. El tempo en la lista de espera y de realización de trasplante no mostraron asociación significativa con las demás variables....(AU)

Validación de la versión en Español de la Escala de Optimismo Disposicional (LOT-R) en una muestra Chilena de estudiantes universitarios / Validation of the Spanish Version of the Life Orientation Test-Revised (LOT-R) in a Chilean sample of college age students

El Optimismo Disposicional se asocia con mejores resultados de salud física y mental. Disponer de instrumentos válidos y confiables para su medición es fundamental. El presente estudio tuvo por objetivo confirmar la estructura factorial y la confiabilidad de la versión en Español del Life Orientation Test-Revised (LOT-R) en una muestra de 526 estudiantes universitarios Chilenos (65% hombres), cuyo promedio de edad fue 21 años. Se realizó Análisis Factorial Confirmatorio, con estimación de máxima verosimilitud, corrección Satorra-Bentler y análisis de consistencia interna. Los resultados confirman una estructura factorial unidimensional de seis ítemes, cargas factoriales superiores a .35 e indicadores de bondad de ajuste excelentes. La confiabilidad del instrumento fue adecuada, estimándose un Alfa de Cronbach equivalente a .72. Los resultados obtenidos, sumado a que esta escala tiene tan sólo seis ítemes, sugieren que el LOT-R es un instrumento válido y confiable, fácilmente utilizable en población Chilena para medir Optimismo Disposicional.

Optimism is a variable associated with better physical and mental health outcomes. Thus, a valid and reliable measure that account for this construct is needed. Therefore, this study had as purpose to confirm the factorial structure, and reliability of the Life Orientation Test-Revised Spanish version with a large sample of 526 Chilean College age students (Mage = 21 years old; 65% Male). A Confirmatory Factor Analysis, with Maximum Likelihood, and Satorra-Bentler correction was performed. The internal consistency was estimated with Cronbach Alpha. The results confirmed a single factor solution with six indicators, and factorial loadings greater than .35. The overall goodness of fit is excellent, and the internal consistency was adequate (.72). These results, in addition to the short lenght of the scale, suggest that the LOT-R is a valid and reliable measure of optimism that can be easyly used with Chilean population.

Optimism on quality of life in Portuguese chronic patients: moderator/mediator? / O papel do otimismo na qualidade de vida de pessoas portuguesas com doenças crônicas: moderador/mediador?

Objective: optimism is an important variable that has consistently been shown to affect adjustment to quality of life in chronic diseases. This study aims to clarify if dispositional optimism exerts a moderating or a mediating influence on the personality traits-quality of life association, in Portuguese chronic patients. Methods: multiple regression models were used to test the moderation and mediation effects of dispositional optimism in quality of life. A sample of 729 patients was recruited in Portugal's main hospitals and completed self-reported questionnaires assessing socio-demographic and clinical variables, personality, dispositional optimism, quality of life (QoL) and subjective well-being (SWB). Results: the results of the regression models showed that dispositional optimism did not moderate the relationships between personality traits and quality of life. After controlling for gender, age, education level and severity of disease perception, the effects of personality traits on QoL and in SWB were mediated by dispositional optimism (partially and completely), except for the links between neuroticism/openness to experience and physical health. Conclusion: dispositional optimism is more likely to play a mediating, rather than a moderating role in personality traits-quality of life pathway in Portuguese chronic patients, suggesting that "the expectation that good things will happen" contributes to a better quality of life and subjective well-being. .

Objetivo: o otimismo tem sido demonstrado como uma variável importante no ajustamento da qualidade de vida de pessoas com doenças crônicas. O estudo tem como objetivo verificar se o otimismo exerce um efeito moderador ou mediador entre os traços de personalidade e a qualidade de vida, em portugueses com doenças crônicas. Métodos: os modelos de regressão linear múltipla foram usados para avaliar o efeito de moderação e mediação do otimismo na qualidade de vida. A amostra, constituída por 729 doentes, recrutados nos principais hospitais de Portugal responderam a questionários de autorresposta avaliando questões sócio-demográficas e clínicas, personalidade, otimismo disposicional, qualidade de vida e bem-estar subjetivo. Resultados: os resultados encontrados mostraram que o otimismo disposicional não exerce um papel moderador entre os traços de personalidade e a qualidade de vida. Controlando por idade, sexo, nível de escolaridade e percepção da severidade da doença, o efeito dos traços de personalidade na qualidade de vida e no bem-estar subjetivo foi mediado pelo otimismo (parcial e total), expecto para as associações, neuroticismo/abertura à experiência e à saúde física. Conclusão: o otimismo disposicional exerce apenas um papel mediador entre os traços de personalidade e qualidade de vida, em pessoas com doenças crônicas, sugerindo que 'a expectativa de que coisas boas vão acontecer' contribui para uma melhor qualidade de vida e melhor bem-estar subjetivo. .

Calidad de vida, ansiedad, depresión y optimismo disposicional en pacientes con lupus eritematoso sistémico / Quality of life (hrql), anxiety, depression and dispositional optimism in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (sle)

This research paper focuses on the relationship between Health Related Quality of Life (HRQL), anxiety, depression and dispositional optimism in patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), and who have been referred to as having Lupus characteristics. A descriptive-correlational cross sectional study, based on the integrated research paradigm was conducted in which 41 pa-tients were sampled and the results showed an impact on Health Related Quality of Life (HRQL). Patients showed a moderate level of anxiety and depression by trait, in contrast with situational depression which was high. Patients also show high level of dispositional optimism, as a coping strategy. Comparing subgroups of patients undergoing or not experiencing remission of the disease, significant differences were found.

El presente artículo de investigación caracteriza la relación entre Calidad de Vida Relacionada con la Salud (CVRS) y la ansiedad, depresión y optimismo disposicional, en pacientes con Lupus Eritematoso Sistémico (LES), que se hallan en estado de remisión y de actividad lúpica. Se realizó un estudio descriptivo-correlacional de corte transversal, sustentado en el paradigma integrativo de la investigación. La muestra estuvo formada por 41 pacientes y los resultados demuestran afectaciones en la CVRS. Los pacientes presentan un nivel moderado de ansiedad en sus dimensiones estado-rasgo, así como en depresión-rasgo, mientras que la depresión situacional resultó elevada. Poseen también un alto nivel de optimismo disposicional, evidenciándose este como una estrategia de afrontamiento. Se encontraron diferencias significativas en la comparación de subgrupos de pacientes según se hallaran o no en estado de remisión y actividad de la dolencia.

Optimismo disposicional, sintomatologia psicopatológica, bem-estar e rendimento académico em estudantes do primeiro ano do ensino superior / Dispositional optimism, psychopathological symptomatology, well-being and academic performance among first year higher education students

O presente estudo ex post facto investiga a relação entre o optimismo disposicional e a sintomatologia psicopatológica, o bem-estar e o rendimento académico numa amostra de estudantes que frequentam pela primeira vez o ensino superior. Um total de 316 estudantes de uma universidade portuguesa preencheu o Life Orientation Test - Revised, o Brief Symptom Inventory, a Échelle de Mesure des Manifestations du Bien-Être Psychologique e forneceu indicadores de rendimento académico. Dos resultados obtidos, destacamos: (a) a existência de uma correlação negativa e significativa entre o optimismo disposicional e a sintomatologia psicopatológica; (b) a existência de uma correlação positiva e significativa entre o optimismo disposicional e o bem-estar; e, (c) a existência de uma correlação positiva e significativa entre o optimismo disposicional e o rendimento académico. A interpretação dos resultados, bem como as possíveis implicações destes, são discutidos à luz de literatura relevante.

The present ex post facto study investigates the relationship between dispositional optimism and psychopathological symptomatology, well-being and academic performance among first year higher education students. A total of 316 students of a Portuguese university completed the Life Orientation Test Revised, Brief Symptom Inventory, Échelle de Mesure des Manifestations du Bien-Être Psychologique and gave indicators of academic performance. From the results, we can distinguish: (a) the negative and significant correlation between dispositional optimism and psychopathological symptomatology; (b) the positive and significant correlation between dispositional optimism and well-being; and, (c) the positive and significant correlation between dispositional optimism and academic success. Interpretation of the results and their implications for student counselling are discussed in the light of the relevant literature.