The Effects of Optimism, Hope and Control on Health
PROJECT III: THE EFFECTS OF OPTIMISM, HOPE AND CONTROL ON HEALTH
Karren, Hafen, Smith and Frandsen (2001) have noted that the notion that mental and emotional states influence the body's susceptibility to and recovery from disease has a long and hallowed history in medical folklore and practice, even though it is only now starting to be accepted as a possible scientific fact. According to the authors, anxiety, joy, love, hate, and depression, optimism, and hope all exert effects on the molecules and cells that ward off disease in the human body and help the body to recovery from disease and injury. Today, this possibility is more and more often being explored in medical research.
The purpose of this project is to examine the current literature on one facet of the existing research on the effects of human emotions and thoughts upon health. Specifically, the paper examines the current research on optimism, hope and control as mental/emotional states that affect both susceptibility to and recovery from disease.
The review begins with a brief definition of terms which is followed by a review of the literature on the effects of optimism, hope and control on a variety of health outcomes for diverse patient samples. The final section of the report presents a summary of research findings followed by a series of conclusions and recommendations formulated on the basis of the reviewed literature.
Optimism, Hope and Control: Definitions
Farran, Herth & Popovich (1995) define hope as a multidimensional and dynamic way of thinking and feeling that supports coping; hope is said to be characterized by a confident yet uncertain expectation of a good outcome regarding a specific circumstance. Expectations are fluid in someone who has hope in that he or she can often hope even though a desired outcome doesnÆt seem possible.
In their discussion of hope, Karren, Hafen, Smith...