by trying to do something about these problems directly. The pessimistic stu-
dents were more likely to pretend the problems did not exist or simply
avoided dealing with them for as long as possible.
Optimism and Health
Researchers also find that optimism may be good for your health. Optimists are
typically in better physical health than pessimists (Baker, 2007; Conway,Magai, Springer, & Jones, 2008; Rasmussen et al., 2006; Segerstrom, 2007). In
one study, researchers used essays written years earlier to determine how opti-
mistic or pessimistic a group of men had been when they were 25 (Peterson,
Seligman, & Vaillant, 1988). The investigators found that the optimists were in
better health at ages 45 through 60 than the pessimists in their sample.
Why are optimists healthier than pessimists? The relationship between
optimism and health appears to be complex, but investigators have identifiedseveral possible links (Peterson & Bossio, 2001). For example, we know that
optimists are more likely to develop wide social networks and turn to friendsin times of crisis (Brissette, Scheier, & Carver, 2002). In contrast, one study
found pessimistic women diagnosed with breast cancer tended to reduce con-
tact with friends (Carver, Lehman, & Antoni, 2003). Numerous studies findsocial support often contributes to better health. One team of researchers
found evidence of a stronger immune system for optimists (Kamen-Siegel,
Rodin, Seligman, & Dwyer, 1991). And because they more often experience05101520253035Pessimists Optimists
Social
WithdrawalSelf-
CriticismWishful
ThinkingProblem
AvoidanceSocial
SupportExpress
EmotionsProblem
SolvingStrategy Use Score
 Active Strategies                   Avoidance StrategiesCognitive
Restructuring
FIGURE 8.4 Use of Coping Strategies
Source: From “Dispositional optimism and primary and secondary appraisal of a stressor,” by E. C. Chang, Journal of Personality and Social
Psychology , 1998, 74, 1109 –1120. Copyright © 1998 by the American Psychological Association.Optimism and Pessimism 215