THE ROLE OF BEST POSSIBLE SELF (BPS) INTERVENTION ON INCREASING OF OPTIMISM IN PATIENTS WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES

Dispositional optimism is the expectation of positive outcomes in the future, and it can have a moderating effect on the neuroendocrinal changes resulting from stress in patients with type-2 diabetes. Best Possible Self (BPS) is a Positive-Psychology intervention which attempts to increase optimism by encouraging the patient to imagine and write about desirable outcomes.The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of optimism on glycemic control in type 2 diabetic patients.  

The study sample included 60 individuals (30 in the control group and 30 in the experimental group). Every participant was a patient of Endocrinology Clinic of Tehran University of Medical Sciences. The participants were chosen through simple random sampling. Study materials included the Revised Life Orientation Test (R-LOT) and the Positive and Negative Affect Scale (PANAS). These questionnaires were administered before the intervention and then again two weeks later.

The Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) method was used to determine the effectiveness of intervention.

Results suggest that BPS intervention increases optimism in patients with type 2 diabetes.