Brief report: Assessing dispositional optimism in adolescence – Factor structure and concurrent validity of the Life Orientation Test – Revised Dario Monzani * , Patrizia Steca, Andrea Greco Department of Psychology, University of Milano – Bicocca, Piazza dell’Ateneo Nuovo, 1, 20126 Milano, Italy Keywords: Dispositional optimism Life Orientation Test – Revised Confirmatory factor analysis Validity abstract Dispositional optimism is an individual difference promoting psychosocial adjustment and well-being during adolescence. Dispositional optimism was originally defined as a one- dimensional construct; however, empirical evidence suggests two correlated factors in the Life Orientation Test – Revised (LOT-R). The main aim of the study was to evaluate the dimensionality of the LOT-R. This study is the first attempt to identify the best factor structure, comparing congeneric, two correlated-factor, and two orthogonal-factor models in a sample of adolescents. Concur- rent validity was also assessed. The results demonstrated the superior fit of the two orthogonal-factor model thus reconciling the one-dimensional definition of dispositional optimism with the bi- dimensionality of the LOT-R. Moreover, the results of correlational analyses proved the concurrent validity of this self-report measure: optimism is moderately related to indices of psychosocial adjustment and well-being. Thus, the LOT-R is a useful, valid, and reliable self-report measure to properly assess optimism in adolescence. Ó 2013 The Foundation for Professionals in Services for Adolescents. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Scheier and Carver (1985) defined dispositional optimism as a generalized expectancy of positive future outcomes. Optimism plays an important role in the self-regulation of behavior (Carver & Scheier, 1998). Specifically, empirical evidence has highlighted its relevant role in influencing adaptive behaviors and psychological adjustment during adolescence. Compared to pessimists, more optimistic adolescents report: higher levels of psychological and subjective well-being (Lai, 2009; Vacek, Coyle, & Vera, 2010; Wong & Lim, 2009), more adaptive health-related behavior (Jones, DeMore, Cohen, O’Connell, & Jones, 2008), higher self-esteem (Weber, Puskar, & Ren, 2010), lower levels of stress and negative events (Huan, Yeo, Ang, & Chong, 2006; Orejudo, Puyuelo, Fernandez-Turrado, & Ramos, 2012), less depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation (Murberg, 2012), and lower levels of anger (Puskar, Sereika, Lamb, Tusaie-Mumford, & McGuinness, 1999). Given this importance, it is critical to reliably and validly assess levels of optimism among adolescents. Scheier, Carver, and Bridges (1994) developed the Life Orientation Test – Revised (LOT – R) to assess dispositional opti- mism. It is a self-report measure consisting of 10 items. Three items (1, 4, and 10) are positively worded, three (3, 7, and 9) are negatively worded, and four are fillers. The factor structure of the LOT-R have been examined especially in samples of middle- aged adults. Controversy and strong debate have arisen regarding its dimensionality and construct validity. Specifically, there * Corresponding author. Tel.: þ39 02 64 48 38 03. E-mail addresses: dario.monzani@unimib.it (D. Monzani), patrizia.steca@unimib.it (P. Steca), a.greco9@campus.unimib.it (A. Greco). Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Journal of Adolescence journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/jado 0140-1971/$ – see front matter Ó 2013 The Foundation for Professionals in Services for Adolescents. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.adolescence.2013.11.006 Journal of Adolescence 37 (2014) 97–101