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Related Experiment Videos

Pessimistic explanatory style and response to illness.

E H Lin1, C Peterson

  • 1Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor 48109-1346.

Behaviour Research and Therapy
|January 1, 1990
PubMed
Summary

Pessimistic explanatory style is linked to increased illness and poorer health. Pessimism may lead to passive responses to illness, worsening health outcomes.

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Area of Science:

  • Psychology
  • Health Psychology
  • Behavioral Medicine

Background:

  • Pessimistic explanatory style is a known risk factor for illness.
  • The specific mechanisms linking explanatory style to illness remain unclear.
  • Helplessness in response to illness symptoms may mediate this relationship.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate if habitual responses to illness mediate the link between explanatory style and health.
  • To examine the relationship between explanatory style, illness response, and coping strategies.

Main Methods:

  • 96 young adults completed questionnaires on explanatory style, habitual illness response, and coping.
  • Data were collected during their most recent illness episode.
  • Statistical analyses examined correlations between variables.

Main Results:

  • Pessimistic individuals reported more frequent illnesses and poorer overall health.
  • Pessimistic subjects were less likely to take active steps when ill compared to optimistic individuals.
  • Passivity during illness emerged as a potential pathway from pessimism to poor health.

Conclusions:

  • Pessimistic explanatory style is associated with increased illness frequency and reduced health status.
  • A passive response to illness symptoms may be a key factor mediating the negative health effects of pessimism.
  • Interventions targeting passive coping behaviors in pessimistic individuals could improve health outcomes.

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