@article { , title = {International optimism: Correlates and consequences of dispositional optimism across 61 countries}, abstract = {Objective: The current exploratory study sought to examine dispositional optimism, or the general expectation for positive outcomes, around the world. Method: Dispositional optimism and possible correlates were assessed across 61 countries (N=15,185; mean age=21.92; 77\% female). Mean-level differences in optimism were computed along with their relationships with individual and country-level variables. Results: Worldwide, mean optimism levels were above the midpoint of the scale. Perhaps surprisingly, country-level optimism was negatively related to gross domestic product per capita, population density, and democratic norms and positively related to income inequality and perceived corruption. However, country-level optimism was positively related to projected economic improvement. Individual-level optimism was positively related to individual well-being within every country, although this relationship was less strong in countries with challenging economic and social circumstances. Conclusions: While individuals around the world are generally optimistic, societal characteristics appear to affect the degree to which their optimism is associated with psychological well-being, sometimes in seemingly anomalous ways.}, doi = {10.1111/jopy.12582}, eissn = {1467-6494}, issn = {0022-3506}, issue = {2}, journal = {Journal of Personality}, pages = {288-304}, publicationstatus = {Published}, publisher = {Wiley}, url = {https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/6438004}, volume = {89}, keyword = {Formerly Health & Social Sciences}, year = {2021}, author = {Funder, David C. and Baranski, Erica and Sweeny, Kate and Gardiner, Gwendolyn and Members of the International Situations Project, and Funder, David} }