Correlations among depression, optimism, and positive health practices were studied in young adolescents. A sample of 131 boys and girls, aged 12 to 14 (M = 13.2, SD = .8) completed the Revised Personal Lifestyle Questionnaire, the Center for Epidemiological Studies–Depression Scale, and the Life Orientation Test. A negative correlation (–.47) was found between scores on Depression and Positive Health Practices, and the correlation for scores on Optimism and Positive Health Practices was .52.
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