Dispositional optimism and pessimism in adulthood. Associations with cognitive abilities, depressive symptoms, physical activity, and fitness
Thesis event information
Date and time of the thesis defence
Place of the thesis defence
University of Oulu, L2
Topic of the dissertation
Dispositional optimism and pessimism in adulthood. Associations with cognitive abilities, depressive symptoms, physical activity, and fitness
Doctoral candidate
Master of Education Jutta Karhu
Faculty and unit
University of Oulu Graduate School, Faculty of Education and Psychology, Unit of Psychology
Subject of study
Psychology
Opponent
Professor Kati Heinonen-Tuomaala, University of Tampere
Custos
Professor Mirka Hintsanen, University of Oulu
Links between optimism, pessimism, and adult well-being
Optimism and pessimism are defined as life orientations and tendencies to expect positive or negative outcomes in life.
At the University of Oulu, Jutta Karhu's doctoral reserach focused on optimism and pessimism in adulthood. Karhu analyzed the associations of optimism and pessimism with adults’ cognitive abilities, depressive symptoms, and physical activity. The findings suggested that optimism is associated with better reasoning skills during young adulthood. Conversely, pessimism was associated with slightly poorer reasoning in young adults and poorer memory in middle age. Longitudinal analyses showed that optimism in young adulthood predicted fewer depressive symptoms and more physical activity in middle adulthood. However, pessimism predicted increased depressive symptoms and less physical activity in middle adulthood. The results highlighted the link between optimism and light physical activity. Small associations with muscle strength were also observed.
“While optimism may reflect an adult’s current well-being, it may also support it in the long term. Conversely, pessimism may indicate poor well-being at present and increase the risk of poor well-being also in the future," Karhu notes. According to Karhu, these results are in line with previous studies that have associated optimism with better health in adults and pessimism with poorer health.
The doctoral research was based on the Northern Finland Birth Cohort studies. The health and well-being of adults born in 1966 and 1986 were analyzed statistically. The study participants were in the age range of 26 to 46.
At the University of Oulu, Jutta Karhu's doctoral reserach focused on optimism and pessimism in adulthood. Karhu analyzed the associations of optimism and pessimism with adults’ cognitive abilities, depressive symptoms, and physical activity. The findings suggested that optimism is associated with better reasoning skills during young adulthood. Conversely, pessimism was associated with slightly poorer reasoning in young adults and poorer memory in middle age. Longitudinal analyses showed that optimism in young adulthood predicted fewer depressive symptoms and more physical activity in middle adulthood. However, pessimism predicted increased depressive symptoms and less physical activity in middle adulthood. The results highlighted the link between optimism and light physical activity. Small associations with muscle strength were also observed.
“While optimism may reflect an adult’s current well-being, it may also support it in the long term. Conversely, pessimism may indicate poor well-being at present and increase the risk of poor well-being also in the future," Karhu notes. According to Karhu, these results are in line with previous studies that have associated optimism with better health in adults and pessimism with poorer health.
The doctoral research was based on the Northern Finland Birth Cohort studies. The health and well-being of adults born in 1966 and 1986 were analyzed statistically. The study participants were in the age range of 26 to 46.
Created 4.12.2025 | Updated 5.12.2025