Objective: To examine explanatory style (how people explain life events) as
a risk factor for early death, using scores from the Optimism-Pessimism sc
ale of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI).
Subjects and Methods: A total of 839 patients completed the MMPI between 19
62 and 1965 as self-referred general medical patients. Thirty years later,
the vital status of each of these patients was ascertained.
Results: Of the 839 patients, 124 were classified as optimistic, 518 as mix
ed, and 197 as pessimistic. Follow-up was available for 723 patients. Among
these, a 10-point T-score increase on the Optimism-Pessimism scale (eg, mo
re pessimistic) was associated with a 19% increase in the risk of mortality
.
Conclusion: A pessimistic explanatory style, as measured by the Optimism-Pe
ssimism scale of the MMPI, is significantly associated with mortality.