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Facets of optimism: Comment on Scheier et al. (2021)
Tyler J VanderWeele1, Laura D Kubzansky2
1Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
The American Psychologist
|January 6, 2022
Summary
Optimism and pessimism are best understood conceptually, not empirically, as separate dimensions. Their distinct associations with health can still inform the development of targeted psychological interventions.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Health Psychology
- Behavioral Medicine
Background:
- Previous research explored associations between optimism/pessimism and physical health.
- Scheier et al. (2021) analyzed differential health associations of optimism and pessimism measures.
- The conceptual nature of optimism and pessimism requires clarification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To address the conceptual debate on whether optimism and pessimism are bipolar or separate dimensions.
- To discuss the implications of this conceptualization for understanding health associations.
- To highlight the utility of existing analyses for intervention development.
Main Methods:
- Conceptual analysis and argumentation.
- Review and interpretation of existing empirical findings (Scheier et al., 2021).
- Discussion of measurement and indicator grouping strategies.
Main Results:
- The bipolar versus separate dimensions debate is primarily conceptual, not empirical.
- Differential health associations are informative but depend on indicator grouping.
- Existing analyses can guide the development of psychological interventions.
Conclusions:
- The conceptualization of optimism and pessimism as separate dimensions is favored.
- Understanding these constructs conceptually aids in interpreting their health impacts.
- Empirical findings, like those of Scheier et al. (2021), are valuable for practical applications such as intervention design.