Can Trait Optimism Predict Individual Competitiveness in Adolescent and University Samples of STEM Students?

My study explored the link between optimism and competitiveness in female STEM-interested adolescents and university nursing students. Findings supported optimism correlating with personal competitiveness in high school students, but not undergraduates. Results underscored the significance of understanding the under-researched distinctions between the subscales of competitiveness, challenging pre-existing, negative connotations.