Unrealistic Optimism and its Relationship with Personality Variables among Kuwait University Undergraduates

Abstract

This study aims at determining the relationship between unrealistic optimism with some personality variables as optimism, pessimism, positive life orientation, hopelessness, shame and guilt, and to assess the factor structure of the variables. The study is based on a sample comprising two groups of Kuwait University students - totaling 356 and 380, respectively, and representing both genders. In assessing the personality variables, the following scales were administered - Unrealistic Optimism Scale, Beck Hopelessness Scale, Guilt Scale and Shame Scale. The results revealed a significant difference in personality variables between the two groups (the most unrealistic optimism group, and the least unrealistic optimism, group) in personality variables in which the most unrealistic group showed greater optimism while the least unrealistic optimism group showed greater hopelessness, pessimism, shame and guilt. Also, the findings showed the unrealistic optimism to be significantly correlated with optimism positively and negatively with pessimism, hopelessness, guilt and shame. The factor structure of personality variables revealed two major factors (optimism vs. hopelessness) and (guilt and shame).