A Longitudinal Study of the Impact of Covid-19 on Optimism Prediction

Bibliographic Data

ID13654089
AuthorsAyako Isato (0009-0008-0413-300X, National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology, corresponding author), Yasunori Aizawa (0000-0001-8879-9993, National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology), Mitsuhiro Miyamae (0000-0002-3963-767X, National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology), Makiko Yamada (0000-0002-2897-3045, National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology)
Year2024
Volume129
Issue3
Pages332941241277480-332941241277480
Publication date2024-09-20
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenuePsychological Reports (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0033-2941 • E-ISSN: 1558-691X
PublisherSAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/00332941241277480
PMID39303727
OpenAlexW4402712953
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited36

The purpose of this longitudinal study was to investigate how optimistic predictions, hopelessness, and depressive symptoms changed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the causal relationships between these variables. To achieve this purpose, we used data from online surveys conducted in 2019 and 2021 among men and women aged 20-79. Based on item response theory, we developed a future prediction task for the assessment of optimistic predictions. Our comparison of online survey responses found a decline in optimistic predictions before and after the pandemic. More specifically, there were no change in predictions of negative future events, but there was the decrease in predictions of positive future events. Furthermore, we found that those who were more stressed by COVID-19 were less likely to have an optimistic view of the near future. We also found a relationship between optimistic predictions and hopelessness and depressive symptoms with lower optimism predicting more hopelessness and more depression predicting lower optimism. To prevent feelings of hopelessness, it is important to help people develop positive expectations about the future

2019-20 coronavirus outbreak · Anxiety · Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19 · Depression (economics · Depressive symptoms · Disease · Feeling · Longitudinal data · Longitudinal study · Optimism · Pandemic · Psychiatry · Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2 · Behavioral Health and Interventions · Clinical Psychology · COVID-19 and Mental Health · Demography · Medicine · Optimism, Hope, and Well-being · Psychology · Social Psychology

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