ABSTRACT

The relationship between optimism and well-being has been studied in widely varying contexts over the past 30 years and more. Optimism has been associated with diverse aspects of human experience, including goal pursuit behavior, the developing of social networks and relationships, emotional well-being, and physical health. The relationship between optimism and goal pursuit also applies to the realm of social resources. Optimism is related to the building of social networks, which have far-reaching beneficial effects through both lessening the impact of negative events and promoting positive events. The relationship between optimism and emotional well-being has been studied extensively in multiple contexts, and greater optimism is indeed associated with better emotional well-being. One of the most likely reasons optimists experience better health is that they engage in more positive health behaviors, while pessimists tend to engage in health-damaging behaviors.