Study Finds Unique Way To Measure Optimism Among Americans
Perhaps surprisingly, many Americans are feeling more optimistic these days. This is according to the results of a recent online survey that was conducted at various assisted living service facilities around the country. The nation is slowly coming out of a recession, fighting two wars, government finances are in shambles, and the recent healthcare debacle has been so divisive that politicians are finding their political lives at risk. So, what’s the reason for this latest upswing in optimism?
There have been numerous studies on how Americans are dealing with all the turmoil in their lives. Many of the studies found that people had adjusted their expectations and goals, moving away from a material-centered view of success to one that emphasized family, friends, community, and other aspirations that aligned with older-style American values.
One study posed six questions and built an online tool called the Optimism Barometer. People are given a score on their answers and receive a grade based on optimism that the company feels is an accurate reflection of their true dispositions. The first study was conducted in early 2009, when the economy was still in decline.
Since then, people who used the online Optimism Barometer have been posting increasingly positive scores. Apparently, people have come to terms with the economic realities they are seeing. They take responsibility for their actions, and recognize the need to make and follow longer-term plans to achieve their goals.
As it turns out, the new normal also has been very good for many corporations. Aided by the low interest-rate environment, many products are relatively more attractive than in the past. Apparently with consumers seeking less risk and more reliable returns, there has been a flight to quality. As a result, some companies have reported that sales of their products are up 20 percent so far this year, and that’s from a stable base that did not fall off during the recession.
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system in the assisted living industry. For more information, please visit assistedlivingcounty.com or call 1-800-768-8221. Sky Palma is a freelance staff writer.