Relationship between optimism and athletic performance. Systematic review

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Abstract

Abstract Optimism is a moderating psychological factor in sports performance. The aim of this study is to review the current evidence regarding optimism and sports performance. To this end, a systematic review of the literature was conducted, taking in consideration only those that followed PRISMA guidelines (Urrútia & Bonfill, 2013). The following databases were used with the predefined inclusion criteria (optimism and sports performance): PubMed, WOS, Scopus, Psycinfo and SportDiscus. The study was assessed using the Critical Reading and Evaluation of Epidemiological Studies (Berra, Elorza-Ricart, Estrada & Sanchez, 2008). Interrater reliability was verified withCohen’s Kappacoefficient (2 judges). The majority of the studies performed correlational analyses between LOT scale results and athletic performance (n = 7). As a result, a positive correlation was observed between optimism and athletic performance. In general, the quality of the studies was considered average. Future studies should take in consideration the use of additional, higher quality and more rigorous experimental procedures.

Translated abstract

Resumen El optimismo es un factor psicológico moderador en el rendimiento deportivo. El objetivo de este trabajo es revisar la evidencia empírica de los trabajos relacionados con optimismo en el rendimiento deportivo, analizando la calidad metodológica de los estudios. Se realizó una búsqueda sistemática siguiendo las indicaciones de las guía PRISMA (Urrútia y Bonfill, 2013). Las bases de datos consultadas fueron PubMed, WOS, Scopus, Psycinfo y SportDiscus. Se seleccionaron para el análisis los trabajos que evaluaban el optimismo y el rendimiento en contexto deportivo (n = 7). Para el análisis de la calidad se utilizó el Instrumento para la lectura crítica y la evaluación de estudios epidemiológicos de Berra, Elorza-Ricart, Estrada y Sánchez (2008). Posteriormente se calculó la fiabilidad interjueces, con dos jueces participantes,mediante el coeficiente kappa de Cohen. La metodología utilizada en los estudios seleccionados fue en su mayor parte análisis correlaciónales entre resultados de la escala LOT y el rendimiento de los deportistas, evaluado de distintas formas. En general, las medidas de optimismo fueron relacionadas con un aumento del rendimiento deportivo. La calidad de los estudios se considera media. Investigaciones futuras debe mejorar mediante procedimientos más experimentales, con calidad y rigor metodológico.

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Distinguishing optimism from neuroticism (and trait anxiety, self-mastery, and self-esteem): a reevaluation of the Life Orientation Test.

Michael F Scheier, Charles S. Carver, Michael W. Bridges (1994)

Research on dispositional optimism as assessed by the Life Orientation Test (Scheier & Carver, 1985) has been challenged on the grounds that effects attributed to optimism are indistinguishable from those of unmeasured third variables, most notably, neuroticism. Data from 4,309 subjects show that associations between optimism and both depression and aspects of coping remain significant even when the effects of neuroticism, as well as the effects of trait anxiety, self-mastery, and self-esteem, are statistically controlled. Thus, the Life Orientation Test does appear to possess adequate predictive and discriminant validity. Examination of the scale on somewhat different grounds, however, does suggest that future applications can benefit from its revision. Thus, we also describe a minor modification to the Life Orientation Test, along with data bearing on the revised scale's psychometric properties.