Amid the stresses of events like the COVID-19 pandemic, optimism has been found to play a crucial role in maintaining both mental and physical well-being. A recent study conducted by Syracuse University and Michigan State University examined how optimism and pessimism influence people’s ability to handle long-term stressors.
The research, led by Jeewon Oh, an assistant professor of psychology at Syracuse, focused on the psychological traits that support resilience during periods of intense stress, such as a global pandemic. The study used data from the Health and Retirement Study, which tracks a representative sample of Americans aged 50 and older.
Participants in the study were asked about their levels of optimism and pessimism in 2016, answering questions like, “In uncertain times, I usually expect the best,” and “I hardly ever expect things to go my way.” In addition, during the COVID-19 pandemic, between March and May 2020, participants reported their health-related behaviors, such as frequency of wearing masks, travel habits, and likelihood of staying home.
The findings revealed that optimism contributes to better resilience and overall well-being when confronting challenges, while lower levels of pessimism were linked to healthier behaviors, such as adherence to safety measures like social distancing and mask-wearing.
This research emphasizes the importance of cultivating a positive outlook, especially during times of uncertainty, to promote both mental resilience and healthier decision-making.
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