The pessimistic explanatory style may be related to relatively poor health because
A) pessimists expect to have poor health.
B) pessimism may lead to passive coping efforts.
C) pessimists explain their ailments to doctors inaccurately.
D) pessimists don't elicit much social support.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The pessimistic explanatory style is characterized by a tendency to explain negative events in terms that are stable, global, and internal (i.e., believing that negative events are permanent, affect all areas of life, and are the individual's fault). This type of thinking can lead to a sense of helplessness and hopelessness, which may result in passive coping efforts. This can ultimately lead to poor health outcomes as individuals may not take proactive steps to manage their health and well-being.

The Pessimistic Explanatory Style May Be Related to Relatively Poor