Dispositional optimism in adolescents with cancer:Differential associations of optimism and pessimism with positive and negative aspects of well-being

ObjectivesDispositional optimism is often considered to be a unidimensional construct. Recent studies suggest, however, that optimism and pessimism are separate dimensions. In this study we investigated two issues. First, the levels of optimism and pessimism in adolescents with cancer compared with healthy controls and second, the individual effects of optimism and pessimism on concurrent and longitudinal well-being.DesignA matched case-control design was used to examine whether adolescents with cancer and healthy adolescents differed with regard to optimism and pessimism. The second part of the study was employed in a prospective design with assessments in the patient group at 3 and 6months post-diagnosis.MethodsThirty-three adolescents with cancer (3months post-diagnosis) and 66 matched controls completed a measure on dispositional optimism (i.e., optimism and pessimism). In addition, patients completed measures on positive and negative aspects of well-being at 3 and 6months post-diagnosis.ResultsAlthough adolescents with cancer were not more optimistic than their healthy peers, they were significantly less pessimistic. Zero order and semi-partial correlations showed that optimism and pessimism are related to different aspects of well-being. Specifically, we found a cohesive pattern in which optimism predicts positive aspects and pessimism negative aspects of well-being.ConclusionsThe high levels of overall optimism often found in patients with cancer might in fact result from low pessimism instead of high optimism. Furthermore, as our study shows that optimism and pessimism are differentially associated with aspects of well-being, it provides strong support for the bidimensionality of dispositional optimism.Statement of contributionThe level of dispositional optimism in adolescents with cancer compared to those of healthy controls What is known on this subject? Research shows that the level of dispositional optimism (DOP) in recently diagnosed cancer patients is relatively high.What does this study add? The study provides more insight in the generally high levels of overall optimism often found in patients with cancer (i.e. high overall optimism reflects low pessimism instead of high optimism). Patients with cancer are not overly optimistic (high levels of DOP represent low pessimism instead of high optimism). It might be that low pessimism is a factor related to resiliency.The dimensionality of dispositional optimism (DOP): associations of optimism/pessimism with different aspects of well-being What is known on this subject? There is controversy in the literature about the dimensionality of dispositional optimism (DOP) Most studies in the field of oncology have examined DOP as an unidimensional construct. There is also research showing that optimism and pessimism are relatively separate dimensions.What does this study add? By showing that optimism and pessimism are related to different aspects of well-being (both concurrently and prospectively), the study provides further support for the bidimensionality of DOP in adolescents with cancer. Further evidence for the bi-dimensionality of DOP highlights the need for separate assessed optimism/pessimism. Interventions should focus on changing patient's negative cognitions, rather than promoting optimism.