Summary: Experts examined how optimism and pessimism influenced well-being and behaviour during the COVID-19 crisis. They examined data from a large-scale research of older people and discovered that enthusiasm was related to less stress and greater tenacity, and despair was linked to safer health activities.
Positive people worried less, felt less depressed, and exercised more, contributing to better mental health. However, when it came to actions that reduced COVID-19 danger, lower pessimism—not higher optimism—was the important factor.
Those who had a less negative view were more likely to stay at home and steer clear of dangerous activities. The findings suggest that promoting enthusiasm and reducing despair might help people learn to manage prolonged stressors much.
Essential Information
- Enthusiasm and Well-Being: Positive individuals had lower strain, greater tenacity, and engaged in more physical exercise.
- Lower despair and risk avoidance: Those who had lower despair were more likely to avoid difficult behaviors like traveling.
- Coping Strategies Matter: Behavioral adjustments, such as exercising at household or using online social relations, contributed to well-being.
Origin: Syracuse University
Do you think the crystal is half-full or half-full, in your opinion?
If you rewind to the start of the COVID-19 crisis, chances are you experienced some degree of despair. Who may possibly responsible you, then? With social loneliness, health problems and financial uncertainty, fear and anxiety became a daily reality for some.
Scientists from Syracuse University and Michigan State University recently examined how people can cope with extended stress like the pandemic.
Led by , Jeewon Oh, associate professor of psychology in Syracuse University’s College of Arts and Sciences, the team delved into optimism and pessimism and how those beliefs influence well-being.
The group used data from the large-scale panel study that gathers a representative sample of Americans over the age of 50 ( Sonnega et al., 2014 ).
In 2016, members responded to questions assessing their levels of enthusiasm, like as” In uncertain times, I often expect the best”, and despair, like as” I scarcely ever expect things to get my method”.
During the COVID-19 pandemic ( between March and May 2020 ), respondents answered questions on health-related activities that either increased or reduced the risk of COVID transmission, including masking speed, travel patterns and the likelihood of staying home.
The team analyzed this data to understand how people’s mental states affected their physical and psychological well-being in hard circumstances.
According to their research, higher positivity fosters endurance and well-being when confronted with stressors like the pandemic, and lower despair fosters safer wellness behaviors.
Their results appeared in the , Journal of Research in Personality.
In the next Q&, A, Professor Jeewon Oh stocks some important insights from their exploration.
What led to this research, and why?
Jeewon Oh ( JO ): The pandemic caused a lot of changes, and we were interested in learning more about personality traits that can assist people in coping with persistent and uncontrollable stressors like the pandemic.
We examined , enthusiasm, because it motivates activity. Because they are more likely to respond to difficult situations immediately or try to adjust when circumstances are difficult, because they see stress as positive.
What were the rewards for those who were more positive? How did optimism/pessimism coincide with well-being during the crisis?
( JO ): Psychological well-being was associated with both optimism and pessimism in independent ways. Therefore, those who are more enthusiastic and less negative were less stressed out and unhappy, and they were more resilient. This was primarily due to the fact that these people saw greater social support and less stress in their relationships as a result of their physical exercise.
Ironically, when it came to COVID/health-relevant behaviors, despair played a major role, but enthusiasm didn’t. In other words, people with less negative beliefs ( but not more positive ones ), who have weaker bad expectations, and who tend to engage in more risky activities at home, including gardening and watching TV.
How do optimism and optimism affect how people approach difficulties and failures?
( JO ): In general, regular optimism/pessimism isn’t about thinking they wouldn’t get sick, or they will be more likely to get sick ( compared to others ), but about knowing the reality and still thinking that things will eventually work out. This positive attitude helps individuals to problem-solve and deal. Afterall, if you think items do not work out, why would you even try?
Is there a way to boost person’s enthusiasm during times when they may be more frightened, like during the pandemic?
( JO ): Trying to think differently or change your optimism may be easier to think about than doing what optimists do. People with lower despair also mentioned altering their behavior to better adapt to the situation, scheduling meetings with Zoom more frequently, and doing household exercise (versus going to the gym and meet with people in person ). Women’s well-being was largely impacted by these behaviors changes, such as more physical activity.
What does this research show about the post-pandemic world’s mental and health conditions? What elements can we take into account to maintain and improve emotional wellbeing?
( JO ): Before the pandemic, there has been proof that optimistic people do well in a lot of situations. Despite the fact that more research is required to understand why, our investigation found that optimists performed greater despite new challenges.
Thus, embracing optimism and learning how to freely cope can help to keep and advance mental health in various circumstances.
About this information from psychology study
Publisher: Daniel Bernardi
Source: Syracuse University
Contact: Daniel Bernardi – Syracuse University
Image: The image is credited to Neuroscience News
Original Research: Start exposure.
Jeewon Oh et seq.,” Optimism and pessimism were retrospectively associated with version during the COVID-19 crisis.” Journal of Research in Personality
Abstract
During the COVID-19 epidemic, optimism and pessimism were retrospectively linked to version.
We examined the relationship between version during the COVID-19 epidemic and optimism/pessimism before the pandemic using horizontal data from the Health and Retirement Study.
Overall, optimism was associated with behaviors that reduce COVID-19 transmission and higher psychological well-being ( βs>, |. 196| ) through changes in social contacts ( indirect effect βs>, |. 004| ) and/or increases in physical activity ( βs=|. 01| ).
Separating optimism and pessimism, we found that merely despair was associated with actions that reduce chance, but , both , optimism and pessimism were associated with emotional well-being.
We discovered that while optimism and pessimism may both be sources of well-being, optimism may be especially important for health-relevant actions if they are examined in the context of recent public health challenges.
