Less optimistic, more stress, lower life expectancy.
Even in this third option there exist an infinite number of sub options on a gradient (where each direction carries more or less weight).
Of course, any meaningful conversation can only happen after definitions (like what is pessimistic) are agreed upon. I for one don't agree with the definition of pessimism as defined by the study.
It’s well known that two people can have the exact same experience (e.g. fighting in a war, experience a natural disaster) and have vastly different psychological outcomes from it. Some can deal with it easily, while others are crippled by it.
I think that it's amusing how the scientific response (which I shared) to this finding in favour of optimism is pessimism.