Optimism And Health: What Relationship?

Optimistic people usually deal with problems more effectively. They think that, regardless of the obstacles, they can still achieve what they set out to do; they surrender less easily to difficulties and their way of dealing with problems is often more resourceful, as well as focusing more on what they can get than what they can lose. How can this approach to life explain the relationship between optimism and health?

In general, it is a fact that optimism is a predictor of good health. And to measure this relationship, several units of measurement were used, including self-reports, professional health assessments, number of visits to the doctor, or survival time after a heart attack. Starting from the results of this analysis, we can conclude that the correlation between optimism and health tends to be between 0.20 and 0.30.

Types of optimism

Optimism alludes to a trend: that of expecting favorable and positive results. It is an aspect that is intimately linked to a person’s psychological and physical well-being. There are two types of optimism:

• Dispositional:  to which we refer more often. It is the positive, constant and generalized expectation of obtaining good results. As such, it is considered relatively stable.

• Situational:  It is a concrete expectation of achieving a positive result in a specific context. It was born in a particular circumstance, a concrete and stressful event.

Studies have generally focused on dispositional optimism. And above all about how it is possible to be more optimistic. Authors Sheier and Carver developed the Life Orientation Test (LOT). A tool that measures generalized expectations; that is, dispositional optimism about obtaining positive results.

Factors that affect well-being

Optimism, well-being and the positive effect are directly related. Hence, there are numerous factors that determine higher or lower levels of these concepts:

• Personality: According to Myers (2000), much of subjective well-being is determined by personality. In practice, 50% of happiness would depend on genetic factors. Consequently, it is relatively unstable over time.

• Wealth: money does not bring happiness.  On a personal level, the increase in wealth is not associated with the increase in happiness. Those who have continually try to get rich are often less happy.

• Interpersonal relationships:  Having intimate relationships with other people is a basic and essential human necessity. Most people are happier when they are in meaningful relationships.

• Achievement of objectives:  Among all, personal and interpersonal ones are the objectives that generate greater well-being.

Positive emotions, optimism and physical health

Optimists more often use direct problem solving strategies, especially when they feel they have control over the situation. This is when they believe they can do something to change the problem situation. So, they act and then they evaluate. However, pessimists evaluate and then, if expectations convince them, they act (Sanna, L., 1996).

Positive emotions are associated with the increase in immunoglobulin A, an  antibody considered to be the first line of defense in the face of disease. These emotions cause not only direct, but also subjective effects. Thus, people who feel happy:

• They have fewer physical symptoms than sad individuals, who feel more unwell.
• They feel less vulnerable than sad ones, which can lead them to take less care of their health.

• They find it easy to engage in health-promoting behaviors and have more confidence that it will improve health.

Explanatory mechanism of the relationship between optimism and health

There are three mechanisms that try to explain the correlation between the two:

• Physiological mechanism: optimists have a lower cardiovascular reactivity in the face of stress and a greater immunological status, i.e. a greater number of biological defenses. And, therefore, fewer health problems.

• Emotional mechanism:  the relationship between optimism and health is indirect, through moods. Negative mood is related to a poorer functioning of the immune and cardiovascular systems.

• Behavioral Mechanism:  Optimists have behaviors that promote health to a greater extent than pessimists. They enjoy better health as they adopt healthier behaviors more often, such as playing sports, drinking in moderation, eating a balanced diet, and avoiding risky behaviors.

Concluding reports

In general, there are numerous studies that conclude that optimists recover better from disease than pessimists. Some evidence supporting this idea are:

• Pregnancy and birth: Optimistic women experience fewer depressive symptoms during pregnancy and postpartum.  In addition, they are less anxious, which facilitates their psychological rebalancing after a possible abortion.

• Surgical interventions: a longitudinal study conducted on patients undergoing surgery shows results that can be considered definitive. Before an operation, optimists report lower levels of negative emotions, as well as states of hostility or depression.

• Cancer: Women who are more optimistic about breast cancer report less discomfort before and after surgery.

• HIV-infected: Some studies indicate that optimistic HIV-positive people have fewer levels of adverse effects and concerns regarding the development of the disease.

After this short but interesting journey between optimism and its health consequences, it is up to us to refine or adapt our mood, our character and our perceptual filters so that they are more beneficial to us. There is no doubt that  a certain degree of optimism helps our mood and health.