Optimism and health.

Optimism is linked to positive health outcomes, although its mechanism is largely unknown. Evidence supports two independent types of optimism: dispositional optimism, which is similar to other personality traits, and explanatory optimism, which affects an individual's interpretation of success and failure. Generally, individuals scoring high on optimism have better health outcomes, and when confronted with life-threatening illnesses, cope with the illness in a healthier manner. Cognitive behavioral therapy offers one potential intervention that may increase a person's level of optimism, with a corresponding increase in health outcomes.