1. 53% (n = 93) males, 47% (n = 84) females
Are Optimists Healthier and Happier?
The Role of Optimistic Disposition in Graduate Students’ Healthy Functioning
Elif Merve Cankaya & Jeffrey Liew
Analyses & Results
Introduction
53% (n = 93) males, 47% (n = 84) females
43% (n = 76) master students, 57% (n = 101) doctoral students. 53% (n = 93) males, 47% (n = 84) females
43% (n = 76) master students, 57% (n = 101) 53% (n = 93) males, 47% (n = 84) females
43% (n = 76) master students, 57% (n = 101) doctoral students.
3% (n = 76) master students, 57% (n = 101) doctoral students.
Optimism is a personality variable linked to positive expectations that individuals hold for their life (Carver, Scheier, & Segerstrom, 2010). Prior research reveal the contribution of optimism for favorable health outcomes and greater well-being and furnished evidence that optimists differ from pessimists in coping with and responding to health threats (e.g., Carver et al., 2010; Rasmussen, Scheier, & Greenhouse, 2009; Scheier & Carver, 1992). A large number of research studies also demonstrated that social and financial resources promote good health outcomes and play a protective role in students’ functioning.
Study Purpose & Research Question
This research study assessed whether optimism provide additional prediction on students’ healthy functioning above and beyond those provided by social and financial supports. The following research question was answered:
Does optimism provided unique prediction to graduate students’ physical health and well-being above and beyond financial and social support?
First, partial correlation coefficients were computed to determine whether there were significant associations between the predictor and dependent variables, while controlling for demographic variables (see Table 1).
Based on the results of the hierarchical multiple regressions analyses performed in three steps, optimism significantly predicted subjective well-being, F(8, 349) = , p < .001 and physical health, F(4, 353) = , p < .001 above and beyond social and financial support as well as control variables.
Methodology
Discussion & Conclusion
Participants: Participants of this study were 358 graduate students at Texas A&M
University. Study participants’ age ranged from 18 to 62 (M = SD = 6.88).
2. Instruments:
2.1. Demographic Information Questionnaire consisted of several questions to gather information about participants’ demographics.
2.2. Life Orientation Test Revised (LOT-R) is a 10-item self-reported inventory that measures trait optimism (Scheier, Carver, & Bridges, 1994).
2.3. Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) is a 12-item inventory that assess perceived social support from family, friends, and significant others (Zimet, Dahlem, Zimet, & Farley, 1988).
2.4. Financial Satisfaction is assessed by asking students “How supported do you feel in paying your graduate school expenses?” and they marked their responses on a 3-point scale.
2.5. Cohen-Hoberman Inventory of Physical Symptoms (CHIPS) is composed of 33 commonly experienced physical symptoms (Cohen & Hoberman, 1983).
2.6. Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS) is a 5-item assessment of global cognitive perception with satisfaction in life (Diener, Emmos, Larsen, & Griffin, 1985).
2.7. Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) is a 10-item instrument for measuring the level of stress in one’s life (Cohen, Kamarck, & Mermelstein, 1983).
3. Procedures: Data was collected using an online survey. With the assistance of the TAMU Information Technology, graduate students at Texas A&M University-College Station campus were informed and invited to participate in this study via an .
Individuals with greater optimistic disposition report fewer physical health problems and experience greater satisfaction with life.
Optimists believe the future will be bright for both internal and external factors (Alarcon, Bowling, & Khazon, 2013; Gallagher & Lopez, 2009).
Health-related stressors are somewhat controllable (Solberg-Nes & Segerstrom, 2006).
Hobfoll’s Conservation of Resources Theory can be evoked to explain how optimism predicts better health (Alarcon et al., 2013; Hobfoll, 1989; Segerstrom, 2007).
Limitations and Directions for Future Work:
Data is cross-sectional. Future studies with longitudinal designs needed to determine the mechanism.
Instruments were self-reports in nature. Future work with objective reports and more reliable markers for accurately quantifying constructs.
Shortcomings with regard to data collection. Future research need to reduce the potential risks of inaccuracy and biased that might be associated with responses.
Reference
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