Title
Optimism And Pessimism In Social Context: An Interpersonal Perspective On Resilience And Risk
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
10-1-2013
Publication Title
Journal Of Research In Personality
Department
Psychology
Abstract
Using the interpersonal perspective, we examined social correlates of dispositional optimism. In Study 1, optimism and pessimism were associated with warm-dominant and hostile-submissive interpersonal styles, respectively, across four samples, and had expected associations with social support and interpersonal stressors. In 300 married couples, Study 2 replicated these findings regarding interpersonal styles, using self-reports and spouse ratings. Optimism–pessimism also had significant actor and partner associations with marital quality. In Study 3 (120 couples), husbands’ and wives’ optimism predicted increases in their own marital adjustment over time, and husbands’ optimism predicted increases in wives’ marital adjustment. Thus, the interpersonal perspective is a useful integrative framework for examining social processes that could contribute to associations of optimism–pessimism with physical health and emotional adjustment.
Volume
47
Issue
5
pp.
553-562
ISSN
0092-6566
Provider Link
Citation
Smith, Timothy W., John M. Ruiz, Jenny M. Cundiff, Kelly G. Baron, et al. 2013. "Optimism and pessimism in social context: An interpersonal perspective on resilience and risk." Journal Of Research In Personality 47(5): 553-562.