Date of Graduation
2002
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Type
MA
Committee Chair
Julie Hicks Patrick
Abstract
The current study investigated how expectancies for good (optimism) vs. bad (pessimism) outcomes contribute to physical and psychological well-being among adults with type 2 diabetes. Participants were 71 community-dwelling adults, ages 45 to 88. Telephone interviews queried about optimism and pessimism via the Life Orientation Test (LOT) and a diabetes-specific LOT (DLOT), depression, positive affect (PA), negative affect (NA), diabetes perceptions, and selfcare behaviors (diet, exercise, blood glucose monitoring). Higher LOT optimism was associated with lower levels of depression and higher PA. Higher LOT and DLOT pessimism were related to lower PA. Neither the LOT nor DLOT were associated with NA. Additionally, higher DLOT pessimism was related to poorer dietary behaviors. Future studies should consider (a) level of specificity when investigating optimism and pessimism within type 2 diabetes, and (b) optimism and pessimism as separate, unique contributors to physical and psychological well-being.
Recommended Citation
Johnson, Jenessa C., "The contributions of optimism and pessimism to physical and psychological well-being among adults with type 2 diabetes." (2002). Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD). 11053.
https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/11053