Being optimistic makes a difference in teen mental health and behavior, especially against the onset of depressive symptoms, concludes “A Prospective Study of the Effects of Optimism on Adolescent Health Risks,” published recently in Pediatrics.
Thousands of kids age 12 – 14 years were assessed over three years on optimistic thinking style, emotional problems, substance use and antisocial behaviors. At any given time, optimistic teens were doing much better in terms of health risks.
Most importantly, risks for the later onset of depression in adolescents who reported high levels of optimism were almost half those of the least optimistic.