Publications [#253598] of Laura S. Richman

Journal Articles

1. Richman, LS; Kubzansky, L; Maselko, J; Kawachi, I; Choo, P; Bauer, M (2005). Positive emotion and health: going beyond the negative.. Health Psychol, 24(4), 422-429.
   (last updated on 2024/04/16)

   Abstract:
   This study examined the relationships between positive emotions and health. Two positive emotions were considered, hope and curiosity, in conjunction with 3 physician-diagnosed disease outcomes: hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and respiratory tract infections. Medical data were abstracted over a 2-year period from 1,041 patient records from a multispecialty medical practice, and emotions were assessed through a mailed questionnaire. Across 3 disease outcomes, higher levels of hope were associated with a decreased likelihood of having or developing a disease. Higher levels of curiosity were also associated with decreased likelihood of hypertension and diabetes mellitus. Results suggest that positive emotion may play a protective role in the development of disease.