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Positive orientation: explorations on what is common to life satisfaction, self-esteem, and optimism

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 April 2011

Gian Vittorio Caprara ,
Patrizia Steca ,
Guido Alessandri ,
John R. Abela  and
Chad M. McWhinnie
Gian Vittorio Caprara*
Affiliation:
University of Rome “La Sapienza”, Rome (Italy)
Patrizia Steca
Affiliation:
University of Milan “Bicocca”, Milan (Italy)
Guido Alessandri
Affiliation:
University of Rome “La Sapienza”, Rome (Italy)
John R. Abela
Affiliation:
McGill University, Montreal (Canada)
Chad M. McWhinnie
Affiliation:
McGill University, Montreal (Canada)
*
Address for correspondence Professor G.V. Caprara, Dipartimento di Psicologia, Sapienza Università degli Studi di Roma, Via dei Marsi 78, 00185 Roma (Italy). Fax: +39-06-4469115 Email: gianvittorio.caprara@uniromal.it
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Extract

Aim – Literature documents that the judgments people hold about themselves, their life, and their future are important ingredients of their psychological functioning and well-being, and are commonly related to each other. Methods – We used confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) under the classical test theory, regression analysis, and a cross national design. Results – This study provides new findings attesting to the hypothesis that evaluations about oneself, one's life, and one's future rest on a common mode of viewing experiences which we named “Positive Orientation”. Conclusions – Results from an Italian and a Canadian study are resented, attesting to a latent dimension that lies at the core of positive evaluations and that corroborates the utility of the new construct as a critical component of individuals’ well-functioning.

Declaration of Interest: This study was partially supported by Grants from the MIUR, 2002 and 2005, and by a Grant from the University of Rome “La Sapienza”, 2002 to Gian Vittorio Caprara. Authors declare “no potential conflict of interest”.

Keywords

positive orientationself-esteemoptimismlife satisfaction
Type
Original Articles
Information
Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences , Volume 19 , Issue 1 , March 2010 , pp. 63 - 71
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2010

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