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The Role of Optimism in Health-enhancing Behavior
Objective:
To examine the relationship between levels of optimism and participation
in health-enhancing behaviors. Methods: A convenience sample
of volunteers obtained from undergraduate psychology classes (N=118)
completed self-report measures of optimism and current health habits.
They also predicted their use of various health strategies should
they be diagnosed with a life-threatening illness. Results:
Analyses revealed a positive association between scores on the measure
of optimism and both of the health measures. Conclusions:
The study extended earlier findings of a positive relationship
between optimism and health-enhancing behaviors and demonstrated
that this relationship can be observed for general health habits
as well as in the context of a specific health threat.
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