Association between optimism and health orientation and differences across gender and exercise status. A cross-sectional study during the COVID-19 pandemic

This cross-sectional study aimed to explore the association between optimism and health orientation in the Greek general population (n=400) and to identify differences across gender and exercise status during the COVID-19 pandemic (October-December 2020). The questionnaire included sociodemographic data, health information, the Health Orientation Scale (HOS), and the Life Orientation Test-Revised (LOT-R). Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS, v. 28. The HOS revealed the highest mean score in Internal Health Control and the lowest in Health Image Concern. Significant correlations were observed between LOT-R and Health Esteem-Confidence (r=.294, p<.001), Health Expectations (r=.257, p<.001), Motivation to Avoid Unhealthiness (r=.202, p<.001), Health Status (r=.202, p<.001), Motivation for Healthiness (r=.138, p<.001), Private Health Consciousness (r=.114, p<.005), and Health Anxiety (r=-.143, p<.001). Men scored higher than women in Health Esteem-Confidence, Health Expectations, and Health Status while scoring lower in Health Anxiety. Individuals who engaged in frequent exercise had significantly higher scores than those who didn't in Private Health Consciousness, Health Image Concern, Health Esteem-Confidence, Motivation to Avoid Unhealthiness, Motivation for Healthiness, Health Expectations, and Health Status. Age, Health Esteem-Confidence, Motivation to Avoid Unhealthiness, Motivation for Healthiness, and Health Expectations positively predicted score on LOT-R. In conclusion, health orientation can play a pivotal role in enhancing optimism and addressing current and future health challenges, such as COVID-19. Health psychologists and practitioners can integrate these findings into their everyday clinical practice or use them to plan effective interventions. Additional research is recommended to further validate the above findings, especially after the end of the pandemic.