When your life comes out better, you're more optimistic. Causal paths are at play but it's very difficult to disentangle the effects of one on the other. There have been some pretty convincing and just logical pathways. But i think you and i may be more interested in this agentic species of hope. For that in particular, i will say, lots of correlational data,. Lots of longitudinal data.
What’s the difference between dispositional optimism and agentic hope? Are there benefits to taking a long shot, even if it turns out to be an air ball? And how is Angela like an N.F.L. quarterback?