Optimism and physical health: A meta-analytic review

Abstract

Background: Prior research links optimism to physical health, but the strength of the association has not been systematically evaluated. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to conduct a meta-analytic review to determine the strength of the association between optimism and physical health. Methods: The findings from 83 studies, with 108 effect sizes (ESs), were included in the analyses, using random-effects models. Results: Overall, the mean ES characterizing the relationship between optimism and physical health outcomes was 0.17, p