The role of optimism in health-enhancing behavior

Objective: To examine the relationship between levels of optimism and parti cipation in health-enhancing behaviors. Methods: A convenience sample of vo lunteers obtained from undergraduate psychology classes (N = 118) completed self-report measures of optimism and current health habits. They also pred icted their use of various health strategies should they be diagnosed with a life-threatening illness. Results: Analyses revealed a positive associati on between scores on the measure of optimism and both of the health measure s. Conclusions: The study extended earlier findings of a positive relations hip between optimism and health-enhancing behaviors and demonstrated that t his relationship can be observed for general health habits as well as In th e context of a specific health threat.