Methodology: How will you collect your data?
To obtain data for my Optimism project, I will distribute a questionnaire to my neighbors, family members, and friends, inviting them to participate. The target age group for participants will be 50 years and above. I plan to utilize various methods of communication, including printed materials, emails, and phone calls, to reach out to potential participants. Additionally, I will administer The Life Orientation Test (LOT) – Revised, a widely used assessment tool for measuring optimism versus pessimism (Carver et al., 2010).
Key findings from scholarly and non-scholarly resources:
From the scholarly resource, it is evident that numerous scientific studies highlight the impact of optimism on mental and physical well-being. These studies reveal that individuals with a pessimistic outlook are at a higher risk of experiencing depression, anxiety, and somatic disorders, while optimists tend to have better mental health. Optimism is also shown to serve as a protective factor, helping individuals maintain their physical and mental well-being and develop effective coping mechanisms during stressful situations. Furthermore, research suggests that individuals with low levels of optimism have a lower quality of life and tend to experience poorer recovery after illness (Conversano et al., 2010).
On the other hand, the non-scholarly article takes a more entertaining approach to inform readers. It presents information in a story format, featuring anecdotes from various individuals. The article emphasizes that women are generally more stress-resistant and optimistic about their lives. It provides examples of how women maintain their optimism through social interactions, shopping, and other activities (Sheehy, 2011).
Thoughts on an additional resource:
For an additional resource, I would suggest including a study or peer-reviewed article that explores the correlation between optimism and health status or age. This resource could further support or challenge the findings mentioned earlier. It would be valuable to investigate how optimism relates to different aspects of health and whether there are age-related differences in the impact of optimism on well-being.
References:
Carver, C. S., Scheier, M. F., & Segerstrom, S. C. (2010). Optimism. Clinical Psychology Review, 30, 879-889. https://local.psy.miami.edu/faculty/ccarver/abstracts/10_Carver_Scheier.phtml
Conversano, C., Rotondo, A., Lensi, E., Della Vista, O., Arpone, F., & Reda, M. A. (2010). Optimism and its impact on mental and physical well-being. Clinical practice and epidemiology in mental health: CP & EMH, 6, 25–29. https://doi.org/10.2174/1745017901006010025
Distinguishing Between Scholarly and Non-Scholarly Periodicals. (2006, May 30). Aquinas College. https://www.aquinas.edu/sites/default/files/3.0Scholarlyvs.NonScholarly.pdf
Sheehy, D. (2011, October 4). Girlfriends are key to women’s optimism. USA Today. /courses/3748175/files/260934316?wrap=1
