Psychometric properties of the Life Orientation Test (LOT-R) in a diabetic Venezuelan population

The purpose of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of the Life Orientation Test s optimism scale in its revised version as applied to a Venezuelan diabetic population. A sample of 300 people with diabetes participated. Internal consistency was analysed using Cronbach s alpha, factorial structure was evaluated using confirmatory analysis, and correlations were made using the MOS Social Support Survey, the Social Networks Scale (translated into Spanish) and the Coping Strategies Questionnaire. Sufficient reliability and acceptable discriminative power of the items were obtained, together with a clear two-dimensional structure (optimism and pessimism). Correlations with social support, social networks and coping strategies were weak, as expected. Verifying the obtained results in alternative samples with chronic diseases is recommended.