EFFECTS OF A PROGRAMME DESIGNED TO INCREASE THE LEVEL OF OPTIMISM AND WELL-BEING IN ADOLESCENTS

The study evaluates the effectiveness of an intervention programme designed to increase the level of optimism on some psychic dimensions associated with mood vulnerability. The experimental sample (N=48) participated in a four-week training to increase optimism, focused on the relation between cognitions and emotions and also optimism versus pessimism. The results showed that the programme led to a decrease in negative mood and improvements in well-being and perceived social support. The causal attribution of the failure to control events appears to be a key factor in dispositional vulnerability. This research indicates that the programmes for optimism and well-being can be effective in the short and medium term by providing valuable abilities to young people in high school.