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Title: PSYCHOMETRIC PROPERTIES OF OPTIMISM AND PESSIMISM: RESULTS FROM THE GIRLS' HEALTH ENRICHMENT MULTISITE STUDIES.

Author
item TAYLOR, WENDELL - UNIV OF TX HLTH SCI CENTR
item Baranowski, Thomas
item KLESGES, LISA - UNIV OF TENNESSEE
item EY, SYDNEY - PACIFIC UNIVERSITY OREGON
item PRATT, CHARLOTTE - NAT HEART,LUNG&BLOOD INST
item ROCHON, JIM - DUKE UNIVERSITY
item ZHOU, AINONG - GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIV

Submitted to: Preventive Medicine
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/1/2003
Publication Date: 5/1/2004
Citation: Taylor, W.C., Baranowski, T., Klesges, L.M., Ey, S., Pratt, C., Rochon, J., Zhou, A. 2004. Psychometric properties of optimism and pessimism: results from the Girls' Health Enrichment Multisite Studies. Preventive Medicine. 38 Suppl:S69-S77.

Interpretive Summary: The relationships among optimism, pessimism, physical activity, and dietary behaviors among 8- to 10-year-old African-American girls in the Girls' Health Enrichment Multisite Studies (GEMS) were investigated in this study. Group of ninty-two girls were randomly assigned to a 12-week physical activity and diet intervention or comparison group and completed psychosocial assessments of optimism and pessimism, physical performance self-concept, physical activity self-efficacy, physical activity outcome expectancies, and physical activity and sedentary preferences. Also, preferences for bottled water and sweetened beverages were assessed. Physical activity and dietary intake were assessed by self-report and parent-report at baseline and follow-up. Also, physical activity was objectively assessed by wearing an accelerometer for 3 days. In conclusion, among 8- to 10-year-old African-American girls, pessimism was related to increased sedentary behaviors and usual activity. Previous studies have reported relationships between optimism and health-compromising behaviors. This study found that pessimism may positively or negatively influence efforts to increase health-promoting behaviors. Future research should confirm and clarify the meaning of these findings.

Technical Abstract: This study investigated the relationships among optimism, pessimism, physical activity, and dietary behaviors among 8- to 10-year-old African-American girls in the Girls' Health Enrichment Multisite Studies (GEMS). Ninety-two girls were randomly assigned to a 12-week physical activity and diet intervention or comparison group and completed psychosocial assessments including the Youth Life Orientation Test (YLOT) of optimism and pessimism, physical performance self-concept, physical activity self-efficacy, physical activity outcome expectancies, and physical activity and sedentary preferences. Also, preferences for bottled water and sweetened beverages were assessed. Physical activity and dietary intake were assessed by self-report and parent-report at baseline and follow-up. Also, physical activity was objectively assessed by wearing an accelerometer for 3 days. The psychometric properties of the optimism-pessimism subscales were analyzed. The measures of optimism and pessimism in children were reliable (r = 0.75-0.82). In the multiple regression analyses without the intervention interaction terms, pessimism was positively and significantly related to increases in MET-adjusted usual activity (P = 0.008) and sedentary behaviors (P = 0.0004). Additionally, a negative (P = 0.026) pessimism by intervention interaction term for MET-adjusted usual activity was found such that the intervention group had a lower change in physical activity per unit increase in pessimism compared to the control group. In conclusion, among 8- to 10-year-old African-American girls, pessimism was related to increased sedentary behaviors and usual activity. Previous studies have reported relationships between optimism and health-compromising behaviors. This study found that pessimism may positively or negatively influence efforts to increase health-promoting behaviors. Future research should confirm and clarify the meaning of these findings.