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  • A Prospective Study of the Effects of Optimism on Adolescent Health Risks

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    Author(s)
    Patton, George C
    Tollit, Michelle M
    Romaniuk, Helena
    Spence, Susan H
    Sheffield, Jeannie
    Sawyer, Michael G
    Griffith University Author(s)
    Spence, Susan H H.
    Year published
    2011
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    Abstract
    CONTEXT: The promotion of optimism has been widely advocated for children and adolescents, but epidemiologic data to support this approach are scant. METHODS: This was a 3-wave longitudinal study of health and social development in younger adolescents from 3 Australian states. The 5634 student participants, initially aged 12 to 14 years, were assessed for optimistic thinking style, emotional problems, substance use, and antisocial behaviors. RESULTS: Cross-sectional associations between optimism and each of the study outcomes were strongly protective but tended to differ according to gender in extent. In prospective ...
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    CONTEXT: The promotion of optimism has been widely advocated for children and adolescents, but epidemiologic data to support this approach are scant. METHODS: This was a 3-wave longitudinal study of health and social development in younger adolescents from 3 Australian states. The 5634 student participants, initially aged 12 to 14 years, were assessed for optimistic thinking style, emotional problems, substance use, and antisocial behaviors. RESULTS: Cross-sectional associations between optimism and each of the study outcomes were strongly protective but tended to differ according to gender in extent. In prospective analyses of the onset of new cases of each study outcome, protective associations were weaker. Those in the highest optimism quartile had risks for depressive symptoms that were reduced by almost half (odds ratio: 0.54 [95% confidence interval: 0.42- 0.70]) compared with those in the lowest category. No effect was seen in prevention of anxiety symptoms after adjustment for other aspects of psychological style. In predicting the onset of heavy substance use and antisocial behavior, high optimism had modest protective effects. CONCLUSIONS: Optimistic thinking style is somewhat protective against adolescent health risks; the clearest effects are seen against depressive symptoms. Promoting optimism along with other aspects of psychological and emotional style has a role in mental health promotion that is likely to be enhanced if an intervention also addresses risk and protective factors in an adolescent's social context.
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    Journal Title
    Pediatrics
    Volume
    127
    Issue
    2
    DOI
    https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2010-0748
    Copyright Statement
    © 2011 American Academy of Pediatrics. The attached file is reproduced here in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher. Please refer to the journal's website for access to the definitive, published version.
    Subject
    Psychology not elsewhere classified
    Medical and Health Sciences
    Psychology and Cognitive Sciences
    Publication URI
    http://hdl.handle.net/10072/44257
    Collection
    • Journal articles

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