Optimizam, pesimizam i psihičko zdravlje

• Post by: bivanovic
• 27.09.2021.
• Comments off

Sažetak

Optimizam i pesimizam relativno su stabilne crte ličnosti koje utječu na to kako osoba percipira sebe i svoju okolinu te kakve ishode očekuje. Optimizam se povezuje s pozitivnim životnim ishodima, boljim psihičkim zdravljem i većim zadovoljstvom životom, dok se pesimizam povezuje s negativnim životnim ishodima i lošijim psihičkim zdravljem. Strategije suočavanja sa stresom predstavljaju mogući medijator ovih povezanosti, pri čemu je optimizam povezan s aktivnim suočavanjem s problemima i emocijama, što se pokazalo povoljnijim za psihičko zdravlje, za razliku od pesimizma koji je povezan s pasivnim suočavanjem koje se smatra manje učinkovitim. Neka su se istraživanja usmjerila na strategiju obrambenog pesimizma koja uključuje negativna očekivanja i sličnu razinu stresa kao pesimizam, ali se povezuje s pozitivnim ishodima te po tome više nalikuje optimizmu. Istražena je i moguća negativna strana optimizma te se pokazalo da je optimizam zaista koristan u većini situacija, osim u igrama na sreću gdje je povezan s većim gubicima. Istraživane su i mogućnosti razvijanja optimizma te se pokazalo da postoje strategije pomoću kojih osoba može postati optimističnija.

Ključne riječi: obrambeni pesimizam, optimizam, pesimizam, psihičko zdravlje, suočavanje

Abstract

Optimism and pessimism are relatively stable personality traits which affect people’s perception of themselves, their surroundings and what kind of outcomes they expect. Optimism is associated with positive outcomes, better mental health and greater life satisfaction, while pessimism is associated with negative outcomes and poor mental health. Coping strategies might mediate between these connections, as optimism is associated with active coping, which has been shown to be better for mental health, while pessimism is associated with passive coping, which is considered to be less effective. Some research has explored a strategy called defensive pessimism, which includes negative expectations and similar levels of stress as pessimism, but is also associated with positive outcomes, which makes it more similar to optimism. The possible negative side of optimism was also explored and research has shown that optimism is useful in most situations, except gambling where it is associated with higher losses. Lastly, some research has explored the possibilities of developing greater optimism and results have shown that there are strategies which can help people to become more optimistic.

Keywords: coping, defensive pessimism, mental health, optimism, pessimism