Abstract
Found in two studies that the Life Orientation Test (LOT) had limited discriminant validity relative to measures of neuroticism. Furthermore, although previous correlations of the LOT with measures of symptom reports and coping behaviors were replicated, these correlations were eliminated when neuroticism was controlled. In contrast, the correlations of symptoms and coping with neuroticism remained significant when LOT scores were controlled. Thus, the LOT is virtually indistinguishable from measures of neuroticism, and previously reported findings using this scale are perhaps more parsimoniously interpreted as reflecting neuroticism rather than optimism. These findings are discussed in terms of existing support for models of optimism and self-control and general methodological issues in studies of personality and health.
Keywords
NeuroticismPsychologyOptimismCoping (psychology)PersonalityClinical psychologyDiscriminant validityBig Five personality traitsPersonality testSocial psychologyPsychometricsDevelopmental psychologyTest validityInternal consistency
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Publication Info
- Year
- 1989
- Type
- article
- Volume
- 56
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 640-648
- Citations
- 325
- Access
- Closed
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Cite This
Timothy W. Smith,
Mary Katherine Pope,
Frederick Rhodewalt
et al.
(1989).
Optimism, neuroticism, coping, and symptom reports: An alternative interpretation of the Life Orientation Test..
Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
, 56
(4)
, 640-648.
https://doi.org/10.1037//0022-3514.56.4.640
Identifiers
- DOI
- 10.1037//0022-3514.56.4.640
- PMID
- 2709311