Exploring the Psychometric Properties of the Life Orientation Test-Revised Among Multiple Sclerosis Patients, Insights into Optimism

Introduction: Optimism, defined as the tendency to expect positive outcomes and view challenges as manageable, plays a vital role in the lives of individuals with chronic illnesses, including multiple sclerosis. Given its potential benefits, measuring optimism through validated tools like the Life Orientation Test-Revised (LOT-R) is essential for both research and clinical practice. Objective: This study aims to validate the LOT-R within a sample of MS patients, assessing its psychometric properties and exploring its potential utility in clinical settings. Methods: This study included 179 patients with Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (PwMS). Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was performed to assess the factor structure of the LOT-R. Model fits were evaluated by the χ2/df value, comparative fit index (CFI), and root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA). Results: The LOT-R showed good psychometric characteristics in our sample of PwMS. The CFA's two-factor model (optimism/pessimism) yielded a good model fit. Cronbach's alpha and McDonald’s omega were acceptable. Optimism was significantly correlated with quality-of-life scores, resilience, and fear of relapse scale. Conclusions: The LOT-10 has satisfactory psychometric properties and is suitable for measuring dispositional optimism in Spanish-speaking patients with multiple sclerosis.