Abstract
Optimism and pessimism are personality variables that have repeatedly been shown to affect health, job performance, and social relationships. Various instruments purport to measure these dispositions that differ substantially in their theoretical and measurement models. While research has examined relations between subsets of these measures, their unique predictive ability has been neglected. Three sequential studies evaluated the interrelation and predictive ability of the three most utilized instruments, the Life Orientation Test (LOT), the O/P Instrument (OPI) and variants of the Attributional Style Questionnaire (ASQ). Consistent with expectations, measures sharing a future-expectancy component (LOT and OPI) were moderately related and most predictive of health, depression, and coping. ASQ measures were modestly related to the LOT and OPI and offered less consistent predictions.
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Reilley, S.P., Geers, A.L., Lindsay, D.L. et al. Convergence and predictive validity in measures of optimism and pessimism: Sequential studies. Curr Psychol 24, 43–59 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-005-1003-z
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-005-1003-z