Definition of Optimism
Optimism: The Cambridge English Dictionary defines optimism as “the tendency to be hopeful and to emphasize the good part in a situation rather than the bad, or the feeling that in the future good things are more likely to happen than bad things.” In numerous medical studies, an optimistic outlook is strongly associated with better health outcomes…Read more
Explore Optimism research in the following databases:
PubMed Trip Cochrane*
*The Cochrane database requires users to enter the search term manually. Enter “optimism”
Research Spotlight
The databases often return hundreds of medical studies for a single wellness approach. This section summarizes a sampling of five studies – providing just a taste of the available research.
- Optimists Have Much Lower Risk of Disease and Mortality Rates
A major 2019 analysis of 15 studies (229,391 participants) found that people ranking high in optimism were much less likely to have a heart attack or other cardiovascular event and had a lower mortality rate from any cause than did pessimistic participants. Across all data, there was a strong relationship between optimism and a lower risk of disease, with optimists having a 35 percent lower risk of cardiovascular events—and a 14 percent lower risk of premature deaths—than pessimists.
Access this research on Optimism - Optimism Associated with Strong Immune Response
A University of Kentucky study (2010) that tracked changes in optimism and immune response among law students found that as students became more optimistic, they showed stronger cell-mediated immunity, the flood of immune cells that respond to an invasion by foreign viruses or bacteria. When optimism dropped, so did cell-mediated immunity. Researchers concluded that positive thoughts affect immune systems, even in healthy people.
Access this research on Optimism - Optimism Reduces Heart Disease Risk
A large Harvard University review (200 studies, 2012) on cardiovascular risk and emotional state found that the traits of optimism and hope, and higher levels of happiness and satisfaction with one’s life, were linked with significant reductions in risk of heart disease and stroke.
Access this research on Optimism - Optimists More Likely to Live to 85+
A 2019 Boston University and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health study, which followed 69,744 women over 10 years and 1,429 men over 30 years, found that people with greater optimism are more likely to achieve “exceptional longevity”—living to age 85 or older. Among the most optimistic study participants, the women had a 50 percent greater chance and the men a 70 percent greater chance of surviving to age 85.
Access this research on Optimism - Optimism Protects Against the Inflammatory Effects of Stress
A University of College London (2009) double-blind placebo-controlled study found a strong positive association between optimism and antibody responses, concluding that optimism counteracts stress-induced increases in inflammation and boosts the adjuvant effects of acute stress.
Access this research on Optimism
Studies-in-Progress/Clinical Trials Underway
A clinical trial is any research study that assigns people to health-related interventions to evaluate the outcomes. “Interventions” include drugs, surgical procedures, devices, behavioral treatments, preventive care, etc.
- ClinicalTrials.gov: explore trials underway in the U.S.
- World Health Organization: explore trials happening across the globe. When you reach WHO’s search page, please type in “optimism.”
Access all studies currently available for Optimism in these databases
PubMed Trip Cochrane*
*The Cochrane database requires users to enter the search term manually. Enter “optimism”
