Optimism and pessimism as predictors of physical and psychological health among grandmothers raising their grandchildren |
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Authors: | Francine Conway Carol Magai Carolyn Springer Samuel C Jones |
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Institution: | 1. Derner Institute of Advanced Psychological Studies, Blodgett 212 C, Adelphi University, One South Avenue, Garden City, NY 11530-0701, USA;2. Long Island University, Brooklyn Campus, NY 11201, USA |
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Abstract: | This study examines the role of personality in predicting psychological and physical health among grandmothers who are coping with a non-normative non-traumatic stressor, i.e. serving as primary caregivers for their grandchildren. Using the Life Orientation Test-Revised (LOT-R), a measure of personality disposition, we examine the contributions of both optimism and pessimism to health outcomes. ANOVAs and regression analyses of the LOT-R and self reports of health in 67 African American and Latino grandmothers revealed psychological (obsessive compulsive symptoms, depression, hostility) and physical (sleep disorder, hypertension) health outcomes are differentially predicted by optimism and pessimism among older and younger age-groups of grandmothers. Implications for grandmothers’ response to caregiving stress and for future studies of personality’s relation to health are discussed. |
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Keywords: | Optimism Pessimism Grandparent caregivers Physical health Psychological health Life Orientation Test Aging Ethnicity African American Latino |
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