Optimistic Thinking: Influences on the Well-being of Pessimists and Optimist Who Have Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety

Previous research has shown that optimism is related to the well-being of individuals. In this research, an attempt was made to see if positive thinking could increase levels of optimism in college students. Additionally, it was desired to see how having symptoms of depression and anxiety related to optimism level. Two groups were presented with the Life Orientation Test-Revised (LOT-R), the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), and the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). Participants were presented with a stressful scenario, (Group 1 was given a positive thinking strategy), and were tested with the LOT-R a second time. Results revealed that there was no significant increase or decrease in optimism level for either group. Optimism was negatively correlated with depression and with anxiety. Those living in urban areas had low levels of depression and anxiety, and high levels of optimism. Discussion is focused on the negative relationship between optimism and depression and anxiety