Early- influence variables in optimism genesis

Abstract

Clinical Psychology has traditionally emphasized the study of psychopathological and adult processes, while overlooking important issues related to prevention and promotion of healthy ways of life, and the need to initiate them from early stages of life. In the last decades, some changes have given rise to a growing interest in psychological constructs such as optimism, and research on school-aged children has been carried out as well. Surprisingly, no sound empirical research has been carried out on preschoolers. The aim of this paper is to provide a selective review of developmental and clinical theories and data that might be helpful to understand the development of optimism in 0-to-5-year-old children.