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Annals of Behavioral Medicine
Published in: Annals of Behavioral Medicine 2/2016

01-04-2016 | Original Article

Optimism and Spontaneous Self-affirmation are Associated with Lower Likelihood of Cognitive Impairment and Greater Positive Affect among Cancer Survivors

Authors: Jennifer M. Taber, PhD, William M. P. Klein, PhD, Rebecca A. Ferrer, PhD, Erin E. Kent, PhD, Peter R. Harris, PhD

Published in: Annals of Behavioral Medicine | Issue 2/2016

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Abstract

Background

Optimism and self-affirmation promote adaptive coping, goal achievement, and better health.

Purpose

The aim of this study is to examine the associations of optimism and spontaneous self-affirmation (SSA) with physical, mental, and cognitive health and information seeking among cancer survivors.

Methods

Cancer survivors (n = 326) completed the Health Information National Trends Survey 2013, a national survey of US adults. Participants reported optimism, SSA, cognitive and physical impairment, affect, health status, and information seeking.

Results

Participants higher in optimism reported better health on nearly all indices examined, even when controlling for SSA. Participants higher in SSA reported lower likelihood of cognitive impairment, greater happiness and hopefulness, and greater likelihood of cancer information seeking. SSA remained significantly associated with greater hopefulness and cancer information seeking when controlling for optimism.

Conclusions

Optimism and SSA may be associated with beneficial health-related outcomes among cancer survivors. Given the demonstrated malleability of self-affirmation, these findings represent important avenues for future research.
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Metadata
Title
Optimism and Spontaneous Self-affirmation are Associated with Lower Likelihood of Cognitive Impairment and Greater Positive Affect among Cancer Survivors
Authors
Jennifer M. Taber, PhD
William M. P. Klein, PhD
Rebecca A. Ferrer, PhD
Erin E. Kent, PhD
Peter R. Harris, PhD
Publication date
01-04-2016
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Annals of Behavioral Medicine / Issue 2/2016
Print ISSN: 0883-6612
Electronic ISSN: 1532-4796
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-015-9745-9

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