Optimism, neuroticism, coping, and symptom reports
An alternative interpretation of the Life Orientation Test
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 6199746 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Timothy W Smith (0000-0002-4017-3243, University of Utah, corresponding author), Mary Katherine Pope, Frederick Rhodewalt, James L Poulton |
| Year | 1989 |
| Volume | 56 |
| Issue | 4 |
| Pages | 640-648 |
| Publication date | 1989-04-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Journal of Personality and Social Psychology (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0022-3514 • E-ISSN: 1939-1315 |
| Publisher | American Psychological Association (APA) (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1037//0022-3514.56.4.640 |
| PMID | 2709311 |
| OpenAlex | W2150824201 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 124 |
| References cited | 7 |
Found in two studies that the Life Orientation Test (LOT) had limited discriminant validity relative to measures of neuroticism. Furthermore, although previous correlations of the LOT with measures of symptom reports and coping behaviors were replicated, these correlations were eliminated when neuroticism was controlled. In contrast, the correlations of symptoms and coping with neuroticism remained significant when LOT scores were controlled. Thus, the LOT is virtually indistinguishable from measures of neuroticism, and previously reported findings using this scale are perhaps more parsimoniously interpreted as reflecting neuroticism rather than optimism. These findings are discussed in terms of existing support for models of optimism and self-control and general methodological issues in studies of personality and health.
Big Five personality traits · Coping (psychology · Developmental psychology · Discriminant validity · Internal consistency · Interpretation (philosophy) · Neuroticism · Optimism · Personality · Personality test · Psychometrics · Test validity · Clinical Psychology · Optimism, Hope, and Well-being · Psychological and Temporal Perspectives Research · Psychology · Resilience and Mental Health · Social Psychology
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| Unique citing works | 78 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 3,44 |
| Citation span | 1990 - 2025 (36) |
| Citation velocity | recent |
| Highly cited | Yes |
| Citation types | Neutral: 112 |