DISPOSITIONAL OPTIMISM AS A PREDICTOR OF HEALTH CHANGES AMONG CARDIACPATIENTS

We examined in a longitudinal study whether dispositional optimism (as measured by the Life Orientation Test) predicts success in making hea lth changes associated with lower risk of coronary heart disease. Subj ects were 22 patients participating in an Is week cardiac rehabilitati on program. As part bf the program all patients were assigned goals (e .g., reduce weight by 20 Ibs) designed to decrease the risk of a cardi ac event. Optimism measured at the outset of the program wets associat ed with greater success in achieving lower levels of saturated fat, bo dy fat, and global coronary risk, and with greater success in increasi ng aerobic capacity by the end of the program. Moreover, these effects were significant after controlling for the magnitude of the goal, the number of health changes, and negative affect. (C) 1996 Academic Pres s, Inc.