Construct validation of optimism and pessimism in older men: Findings from the normative aging study.

Mroczek, Daniel K., Spiro, Avron, Aldwin, Carolyn M., Ozer, Daniel J.·1993·Health Psychology
DOI 10.1037//0278-6133.12.5.406

Abstract

Validation of Scheier and Carver's (1985) Life Orientation Test (LOT) has identified associations between bipolar optimism and several external constructs. However, optimism and pessimism may be not bipolar, but rather separate constructs. Furthermore, these constructs may be indistinguishable from personality traits, such as neuroticism and extraversion. This study examined the associations of separate optimism and pessimism measures with self-reports of hassles, psychological symptoms, and illness severity, controlling for personality. Ss were 1,192 men from the Normative Aging Study. Findings suggest that optimism and pessimism are separate and that their relations to external criteria remain, although attenuated, when neuroticism and extraversion are controlled.

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  3. Construing Benefits from Adversity: Adaptotional Significance and Disposltional Underpinnings
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    Sheldon, Kennon M., Niemiec, Christopher P. · 2006 · Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
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Cite CoChat for the checks on this page, and the paper for its own findings.

This page
CoChat. (2026). Citation check: Construct validation of optimism and pessimism in older men: Findings from the normative aging study. https://app.cochat.ai/papers/10.1037//0278-6133.12.5.406
The paper
Mroczek, D. K., Spiro, A., Aldwin, C. M., & Ozer, D. J. (1993). Construct validation of optimism and pessimism in older men: Findings from the normative aging study. Health Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1037//0278-6133.12.5.406

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