Optimism is a key trait to approaching life with resilience and experiencing happiness in daily life. However, its childhood correlates have not been studied in detail. A recent study in the journal npj Mental Health Research examined the relationship between early life experiences and optimism in adulthood.
Introduction
Wellbeing is increasingly a target of health policies as an important parameter of social development. One factor that promotes wellbeing and health is dispositional optimism—“a generalized expectation that good things will happen.” Optimists have lower mortality and cardiovascular risk and lower rates of mental illness. They also tend to follow healthier lifestyles.
This trait can be influenced by environmental factors, with heritability estimated at approximately 25%. Since it tends to be stable by adulthood, factors that can be modified to promote its development in childhood should be identified. These include family relationships, adverse childhood experiences, parental divorce, and religious upbringing. These interact with the regional culture, as suggested by the Ecological Systems Theory.
Earlier research in this area mostly came from the US and Europe, leaving a significant knowledge gap. The current study sought to fill this gap by a multinational assessment of childhood factors in relation to regional differences in culture that shape adult optimism levels.
