Summary: Researchers looked at how optimism and pessimism influenced well-being and behavior during the Covid-19 pandemic. When analysing data from a large study of older adults, they found that optimism is associated with lower stress and greater resilience, but safer health behaviors are safer pathetics The principle was related.
Optimistic individuals felt less worried, lonely, exercised more, and contributed to improving mental health. However, when it comes to actions that reduced the risk of Covid-19, the decline in pessimism, where optimism is not large, was a key factor.
Those with less pessimistic outlook were more likely to stay home and avoid dangerous activities. Findings suggest that promoting optimism and reducing pessimism could help people deal with extended stressors.
Important facts
Optimism and happiness: Optimistic individuals were less stressed, more resilient, and engaged in increased physical activity. Pessimism and risk aversion: People with low pessimism are more likely to avoid risky behaviors such as travel. He contributed to happiness by using exercise at home and virtual social interactions.
Source: Syracuse University
Do you think the glass is half empty or half full?
Rewinding to the start of the Covid-19 pandemic could have experienced some degree of pessimism. And who can blame you? Social isolation, health concerns and economic uncertainty have made fear and anxiety a daily reality for many.
A team of researchers from Syracuse University and Michigan State University recently looked into personal characteristics that can help address long-term stressors, such as the pandemic.
The group led by Jeewon Oh, an assistant professor of psychology at Syracuse University’s College of Arts and Sciences, delved into optimism and pessimism, and how those mindsets influence happiness.
This group utilized data from the Health and Resignation Study, a large panel study that gathered a nationally representative sample of Americans over 50 years of age (Sonnega et al., 2014).
In 2016, participants responded to questions assessing levels of optimism, such as “In times of uncertainty, I usually expect the best,” and said, “I’m going my way.” We evaluated pessimism such as “I have little hope for this.”
During the Covid-19 pandemic (March to May 2020), respondents asked questions about health-related behaviors that increase or decrease the risk of symbiotic infection, such as masking frequency, travel habits, and the likelihood of staying at home. I answered.
The team used this data to explore how people’s mindsets influenced psychological and physical well-being during challenging times.
In their findings, they find that greater optimism promotes resilience and happiness when faced with stressors like the pandemic, while pessimism is associated with safer health behaviours. It’s.
Their discoveries appeared in the Journal of Research in Personality.
In the next Q&A, Professor Jeewon Oh shares some important insights from their research.
What was the motivation for this study?
Jeewon Oh (Jo): The pandemic has brought about a lot of change. We wanted to learn more about personality traits that help people deal with persistent, out of control stressors like the pandemic.
We looked into optimism because it motivates actions. Optimists are proactive in stressful situations, and are more likely to either deal with problems directly or adapt when things are out of control.
What were the benefits of people who were more optimistic? How did optimism/pessimism correlate with happiness during the pandemic?
(Jo): Both optimism and pessimism were independently associated with psychological well-being. Therefore, those who were optimistic and unpessimistic were less stressful and lonely, and more resilient. This is because they perceived that these people engaged in more physical activity and reduced the burden of more social support and relationships.
Interestingly, pessimism played an important role in Covid/Health-related behavior, but there was no optimism. In other words, individuals with a pessimistic view of weak negative expectations (but not more optimistic) tend to engage in less risky behaviors, such as travel, and watch television and gardening. I tended to engage in more activities at home, from the perspective of meditation.
How do optimism and pessimism affect the way people approach challenges and set-offs?
(Jo): Generally, normal optimism/pessimism is not about thinking they won’t get sick, but rather about being more likely to get sick (compared to others), but knowing reality, A good result for what you think will ultimately end up. This positive mindset helps people solve and deal with problems. After all, if you think things aren’t going well, why are you even trying?
Is there a way to boost your optimism in a time when they may be more worried, like during the pandemic?
(Jo): It’s easier to think about what an optimist does than try to think differently (or change optimism). Therefore, those with low pessimism have mentioned exercising at home more frequently, changing their behavior to suit the situation and meeting people who are zooming (or go to the gym and meet people in person). ). It was these changes in more movement-like behavior that partially helped people’s well-being.
What does this study reveal about health and psychological well-being in a post-pandemic world? What factors can you consider to maintain and improve your mental health?
(Jo): Before the pandemic, there was evidence that optimistic people would do well in many situations. While more research is needed to understand why, our study found that optimists have become better amidst the new challenges.
Therefore, learning how to develop optimism and deal with it flexibly can help you maintain and improve your mental health in a variety of situations.
About this psychological research news
Author: Daniel Bernardi
Source: Syracuse University
Contact: Daniel Bernardi – Syracuse University
Image: Image credited to Neuroscience News
Original research: Open access.
“Optimism and pessimism were positively associated with adaptation during the Covid-19 pandemic,” Jeewon Oh et al. Journal of Research in Personality
Abstract
Optimism and pessimism were positively associated with adaptation during the Covid-19 pandemic
Longitudinal data from health and retirement studies were used to examine the association between the pandemic during the Covid-19 pandemic and pre-adaptive optimism/pessimism.
Overall, optimism has been linked to increased social contact (indirect effect βS> | .004 |) and/or increased physical activity (indirect effect βS> | .196 |) and/or increased physical activity. It was associated with behaviors that reduced transmission and higher psychological well-being (βS> | .196 |). βs= | .01 |).
Separating optimism and pessimism reveals that, while pessimism alone is associated with risk-reducing behavior, both optimism and pessimism are associated with psychological well-being.
By investigating them in the context of new public health challenges, the existence of optimism and the existence of pessimism may be resources for happiness, but the lack of pessimism is particularly important for health-related behavior. I realized that it might be.
