Psychometric properties of optimism and pessimism: Results from the Girls' Health Enrichment Multisite Studies

Wendell C. Taylor; Tom Baranowski; Lisa M. Klesges; Sydney Ey; Charlotte Pratt; Jim Rochon; Ainong Zhou

doi:10.1016/j.ypmed.2003.10.015

Psychometric properties of optimism and pessimism: Results from the Girls' Health Enrichment Multisite Studies

Wendell C. Taylor, Tom Baranowski, Lisa M. Klesges, Sydney Ey, Charlotte Pratt, Jim Rochon, Ainong Zhou

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

23 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background. This study investigated the relationships among optimism, pessimism, physical activity, and dietary behaviors among 8- to 10-year-old African-American girls in the Girls' Health Enrichment Multisite Studies (GEMS). Methods. Ninety-two girls were randomly assigned to a 12-week physical activity and diet intervention or comparison group and completed psychosocial assessments including the Youth Life Orientation Test (YLOT) of optimism and pessimism, physical performance self-concept, physical activity self-efficacy, physical activity outcome expectancies, and physical activity and sedentary preferences. Also, preferences for bottled water and sweetened beverages were assessed. Physical activity and dietary intake were assessed by self-report and parent-report at baseline and follow-up. Also, physical activity was objectively assessed by wearing an accelerometer for 3 days. The psychometric properties of the optimism-pessimism subscales were analyzed. Results. The measures of optimism and pessimism in children were reliable (r = 0.75-0.82). In the multiple regression analyses without the intervention interaction terms, pessimism was positively and significantly related to increases in MET-adjusted usual activity (P = 0.008) and sedentary behaviors (P = 0.0004). Additionally, a negative (P = 0.026) pessimism by intervention interaction term for MET-adjusted usual activity was found such that the intervention group had a lower change in physical activity per unit increase in pessimism compared to the control group. Conclusions: Among 8- to 10-year-old African-American girls, pessimism was related to increased sedentary behaviors and usual activity. Previous studies have reported relationships between optimism and health-compromising behaviors. This study found that pessimism may positively or negatively influence efforts to increase health-promoting behaviors. Future research should confirm and clarify the meaning of these findings.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	69-77
Number of pages	9
Journal	Preventive medicine
Volume	38
Issue number	SUPPL.
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ypmed.2003.10.015
State	Published - May 2004
Externally published	Yes

Keywords

GEMS
Optimism
Pessimism

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Epidemiology
Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

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10.1016/j.ypmed.2003.10.015

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@article{8d5c171db1f742528588df0e46537cbd,

title = "Psychometric properties of optimism and pessimism: Results from the Girls' Health Enrichment Multisite Studies",

abstract = "Background. This study investigated the relationships among optimism, pessimism, physical activity, and dietary behaviors among 8- to 10-year-old African-American girls in the Girls' Health Enrichment Multisite Studies (GEMS). Methods. Ninety-two girls were randomly assigned to a 12-week physical activity and diet intervention or comparison group and completed psychosocial assessments including the Youth Life Orientation Test (YLOT) of optimism and pessimism, physical performance self-concept, physical activity self-efficacy, physical activity outcome expectancies, and physical activity and sedentary preferences. Also, preferences for bottled water and sweetened beverages were assessed. Physical activity and dietary intake were assessed by self-report and parent-report at baseline and follow-up. Also, physical activity was objectively assessed by wearing an accelerometer for 3 days. The psychometric properties of the optimism-pessimism subscales were analyzed. Results. The measures of optimism and pessimism in children were reliable (r = 0.75-0.82). In the multiple regression analyses without the intervention interaction terms, pessimism was positively and significantly related to increases in MET-adjusted usual activity (P = 0.008) and sedentary behaviors (P = 0.0004). Additionally, a negative (P = 0.026) pessimism by intervention interaction term for MET-adjusted usual activity was found such that the intervention group had a lower change in physical activity per unit increase in pessimism compared to the control group. Conclusions: Among 8- to 10-year-old African-American girls, pessimism was related to increased sedentary behaviors and usual activity. Previous studies have reported relationships between optimism and health-compromising behaviors. This study found that pessimism may positively or negatively influence efforts to increase health-promoting behaviors. Future research should confirm and clarify the meaning of these findings.",

keywords = "GEMS, Optimism, Pessimism",

author = "Taylor, {Wendell C.} and Tom Baranowski and Klesges, {Lisa M.} and Sydney Ey and Charlotte Pratt and Jim Rochon and Ainong Zhou",

note = "Funding Information: We gratefully acknowledge the statistical and data analysis assistance of Michelle A. Detry, M.S. This study was sponsored by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (U01 HL65160, U01 HL62662, U01 HL62663, U01 HL62732, and U01 HL62668). This project has also been funded in part by federal funds from the USDA/ARS under Cooperative Agreement No.58-6250-6001. The contents of this publication do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the USDA, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.",

year = "2004",

month = may,

doi = "10.1016/j.ypmed.2003.10.015",

language = "English (US)",

volume = "38",

pages = "69--77",

journal = "Preventive medicine",

issn = "0091-7435",

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T1 - Psychometric properties of optimism and pessimism

T2 - Results from the Girls' Health Enrichment Multisite Studies

AU - Taylor, Wendell C.

AU - Baranowski, Tom

AU - Klesges, Lisa M.

AU - Ey, Sydney

AU - Pratt, Charlotte

AU - Rochon, Jim

AU - Zhou, Ainong

N1 - Funding Information: We gratefully acknowledge the statistical and data analysis assistance of Michelle A. Detry, M.S. This study was sponsored by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (U01 HL65160, U01 HL62662, U01 HL62663, U01 HL62732, and U01 HL62668). This project has also been funded in part by federal funds from the USDA/ARS under Cooperative Agreement No.58-6250-6001. The contents of this publication do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the USDA, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

PY - 2004/5

Y1 - 2004/5

N2 - Background. This study investigated the relationships among optimism, pessimism, physical activity, and dietary behaviors among 8- to 10-year-old African-American girls in the Girls' Health Enrichment Multisite Studies (GEMS). Methods. Ninety-two girls were randomly assigned to a 12-week physical activity and diet intervention or comparison group and completed psychosocial assessments including the Youth Life Orientation Test (YLOT) of optimism and pessimism, physical performance self-concept, physical activity self-efficacy, physical activity outcome expectancies, and physical activity and sedentary preferences. Also, preferences for bottled water and sweetened beverages were assessed. Physical activity and dietary intake were assessed by self-report and parent-report at baseline and follow-up. Also, physical activity was objectively assessed by wearing an accelerometer for 3 days. The psychometric properties of the optimism-pessimism subscales were analyzed. Results. The measures of optimism and pessimism in children were reliable (r = 0.75-0.82). In the multiple regression analyses without the intervention interaction terms, pessimism was positively and significantly related to increases in MET-adjusted usual activity (P = 0.008) and sedentary behaviors (P = 0.0004). Additionally, a negative (P = 0.026) pessimism by intervention interaction term for MET-adjusted usual activity was found such that the intervention group had a lower change in physical activity per unit increase in pessimism compared to the control group. Conclusions: Among 8- to 10-year-old African-American girls, pessimism was related to increased sedentary behaviors and usual activity. Previous studies have reported relationships between optimism and health-compromising behaviors. This study found that pessimism may positively or negatively influence efforts to increase health-promoting behaviors. Future research should confirm and clarify the meaning of these findings.

AB - Background. This study investigated the relationships among optimism, pessimism, physical activity, and dietary behaviors among 8- to 10-year-old African-American girls in the Girls' Health Enrichment Multisite Studies (GEMS). Methods. Ninety-two girls were randomly assigned to a 12-week physical activity and diet intervention or comparison group and completed psychosocial assessments including the Youth Life Orientation Test (YLOT) of optimism and pessimism, physical performance self-concept, physical activity self-efficacy, physical activity outcome expectancies, and physical activity and sedentary preferences. Also, preferences for bottled water and sweetened beverages were assessed. Physical activity and dietary intake were assessed by self-report and parent-report at baseline and follow-up. Also, physical activity was objectively assessed by wearing an accelerometer for 3 days. The psychometric properties of the optimism-pessimism subscales were analyzed. Results. The measures of optimism and pessimism in children were reliable (r = 0.75-0.82). In the multiple regression analyses without the intervention interaction terms, pessimism was positively and significantly related to increases in MET-adjusted usual activity (P = 0.008) and sedentary behaviors (P = 0.0004). Additionally, a negative (P = 0.026) pessimism by intervention interaction term for MET-adjusted usual activity was found such that the intervention group had a lower change in physical activity per unit increase in pessimism compared to the control group. Conclusions: Among 8- to 10-year-old African-American girls, pessimism was related to increased sedentary behaviors and usual activity. Previous studies have reported relationships between optimism and health-compromising behaviors. This study found that pessimism may positively or negatively influence efforts to increase health-promoting behaviors. Future research should confirm and clarify the meaning of these findings.

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KW - Pessimism

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Psychometric properties of optimism and pessimism: Results from the Girls' Health Enrichment Multisite Studies

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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