How do Generation Y women see the world? Slightly more optimistically than women of older generations, says a new report.

The study, commissioned by PR firm FleishmanHillard, explores men and women’s attitudes about brands, decision-making and work-life balance. Researchers conducted a three-part investigation, which included exploratory interviews with men and women, over 4,500 online surveys with participants in the U.S., France, Germany, China and Britain, and in-depth one-on-one interviews with women in the U.S. and globally.

The report offers some insights about Generation Y women, defined as those aged 21-34. Seventy percent of Gen Y women described themselves as “smart,” compared to just 54 percent of Gen Y men and 60 percent of older women. This suggests that women of the Millennial generation are feeling more empowered — or at least more willing to acknowledge their own intelligence — than generations past.

The Millennial women surveyed were also more likely…