A Summary from Multiple Sources

Several studies highlight the various effects of positive thinking on people’s overall

health. In terms of positive impact, it is believed that positive thinking and affect are related with

distress reduction and predicting healthy outcomes (Tugade & Fredrickson, 2004, as cited in,

Ehrenrech, 2012). Additionally, positive emotions reverse the effect of negative emotions on

cardiovascular function (Fredrickson, & Levenston, 1998, as cited in, as cited in, Ehrenrech,

2012). Moreover, it is alleged that the occurrence of daily positive emotions assists moderating

stress reactivity. It has been claimed that moments of positive emotions can relieve individuals’

mind from stress and grief (Folkman, 2000, as cited in, Naseem, 2010). According to Scheier

(1993), optimism increases the levels of subjective well-being during times of stress which is

shown by several studies that concluded:” Optimists routinely uphold higher levels of subjective

well- being during times of stress than do people who are less optimistic”. However, according to

De Raeve (2003), some studies claimed that positive thinking can cause positive or negative

impact if it is used carefully to several types of individuals such as “cancer patients”. In the

positive side, negative feeling would deeply decrease which carries its own psychological

implications. In the negative sides, it would make the patients feel guilt and blame themselves on

what happened to them and conclude that “they did not try hard enough”.