Standardization, Reliability,and Validity of Optimism Scale in Esfahan and a Survey of Relationship between Optimism, Self mastery,and Depression

The purpose of this research was standardization, reliability, and validity of optimism scale (LOT) between citizens of Esfah􀆗n. 120 citizens of Esfah􀆗n city selected by cluster sampling method. Optimism, self mastery, depression scale, and personal characteristics form were administered to them. This research was a survey that encompasses descriptional, evaluation, comparison, and correlation method. Finding of research revealed percentiles and standardized (T) scores as the norms of optimism scale. Cut-off point of standardized (T) test for males were ascertained 32 and 13 and 30 and 16 for females. The results of scale’s item analysis showed that all of the scales items had a significant and positive relationship with total scores of the scale. Reliability coefficient was computed 0.74 and 0.87 using Cronbach’s Alpha reliability test and test-retest method respectively .validity coefficient of optimism was computed by criteria related approach. Validity coefficient between optimism, depression, and self mastery were -0.649 and 0.725 respectively. Factor analysis revealed two dominant factors that called positive attitude toward event and hope for future. Other findings showed that there was significant relationship between optimism, self mastery, age, depression, income, mother’s age, and season of birth, (P < 0.05). Results showed that gender is not an influential factor on optimism, selfmastery, and depression. With respect to finding it was concluded that optimism scale can be used to test people’s optimism.