Do you view the glass as half empty or half full? If we travel back to the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s likely that many experienced a degree of pessimism. Who could blame them, given social isolation, health concerns, and economic uncertainty turned fear and anxiety into daily realities for many.
A team of researchers from Syracuse University and Michigan State University recently delved into personal characteristics that help individuals handle prolonged stressors such as the pandemic. Led by Jeewon Oh, an assistant professor of psychology at Syracuse University’s College of Arts and Sciences, they explored optimism versus pessimism and how these mindsets influence well-being.
The team utilized data from the Health and Retirement Study, a large-scale panel study that gathers a nationally representative sample of Americans aged 50 and older (Sonnega et al., 2014). In 2016, participants responded to questions assessing their levels of optimism, such as “In uncertain times, I usually expect the best,” and pessimism, like “I hardly ever expect things to go my way.” During the COVID-19 pandemic (between March and May 2020), respondents answered questions about health-related behaviors that either increased or reduced the risk of COVID transmission, including masking frequency, travel habits, and likelihood of staying home. The team used this data to explore how people’s mindsets affected their psychological and physical well-being during challenging times.
Among their findings, they discovered that greater optimism promotes resilience and well-being when faced with stressors like the pandemic while lower pessimism is linked to safer health behaviors. Their research appeared in the Journal of Research in Personality.
In the following Q&A, Professor Jeewon Oh shares some key insights from their study:
- What was the motivation for this study?
JeeWon Oh (JO): The pandemic introduced many changes and we wanted to know more about personality traits that could help people cope with enduring and uncontrollable stressors like the pandemic. We examined optimism because it motivates action. Since optimists view stressful situations positively, they are more likely to directly address the issue or try to adapt when things are uncontrollable.
- What were the benefits for those who were more optimistic? How did optimism/pessimism correlate with well-being during the pandemic?
(JO): Both optimism and pessimism had independent associations with psychological well-being. So, people who are more optimistic and less pessimistic worried less, were less stressed and lonely, and were more resilient. This was partly because these people engaged in more physical activity and perceived more social support from their relationships.
Interestingly, when it came to COVID/health-relevant behaviors, pessimism played a significant role but optimism didn’t. In other words, individuals with a less pessimistic mindset (but not necessarily a more optimistic one), who have weaker negative expectations tend to engage in less risky behaviors such as traveling and participate in activities at home like watching TV, gardening or meditating.
- How does optimism or pessimism influence the way people approach challenges and setbacks?
(JO): Regular optimism/pessimism isn’t about thinking they wouldn’t get sick or be more likely to get sick (compared to others), but about knowing the reality while still believing things will work out. This positive mindset helps with problem-solving and coping because if you think nothing would ever work out, why even try?
- Is there a way to boost one’s optimism during times when they may be more anxious like during the pandemic?
(JO): It can be easier to consider doing what optimists do rather than trying to think differently (or change your optimism). So, people with lower pessimism might mention changing their behaviors such as exercising at home instead of going to a gym and meeting up in person. These changes like increased exercise partly contributed to improved well-being.
- What does this study reveal about health and psychological well-being in the post-pandemic world? What factors can we consider for maintaining and improving mental health?
(JO): There was evidence before the pandemic that optimistic people fare well across many situations. Even though more research is needed to understand why, our study found that optimists did better even during new difficulties. Therefore developing optimism and learning how to flexibly cope can help maintain and improve mental health in diverse situations.
