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Optimism at Work: Developing and Validating Scales to Measure Workplace Optimism

Abstract Details

2021, Ph.D., Antioch University, Leadership and Change.
A growing body of research has shown the benefits of optimism on health, socioeconomic status, and at work. This two-phase mixed-method study revised and validated an instrument to measure an employee’s personal experience with optimism in their workplace. This study also developed two additional scales to measure the degree to which individuals engage in optimistic leadership skills, and an organization’s readiness to cultivate optimism. In Phase 1, 697 responses from an online survey were analyzed using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. Regression analysis indicated that an employee’s personal experience of factors associated with optimism at work influenced their perception of their workplace’s readiness to cultivate optimism. Regression analysis also indicated that an individual’s personal tendency toward optimism influenced their personal experience with optimism at work. The study also validated the Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey and the Life Orientation Test-Revised for this study’s sample. In Phase 2, the measures developed in Phase 1 were piloted with the 30-person office staff of a midwestern paper manufacturing company to provide feedback on the accuracy of the scales. The findings help to advance research on optimism at work and support future studies to explore more deeply the impact of optimism at work. This dissertation is available in open access at AURA, https://aura.antioch.edu/ and OhioLINK ETD Center, https://etd.ohiolink.edu/.
Mitchell Kusy, Ph.D. (Committee Chair)
Carol Baron, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Amy Climer, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
303 p.

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Frost, S. M. (2021). Optimism at Work: Developing and Validating Scales to Measure Workplace Optimism [Doctoral dissertation, Antioch University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=antioch161817296993158

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Frost, Sara. Optimism at Work: Developing and Validating Scales to Measure Workplace Optimism. 2021. Antioch University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=antioch161817296993158.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Frost, Sara. "Optimism at Work: Developing and Validating Scales to Measure Workplace Optimism." Doctoral dissertation, Antioch University, 2021. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=antioch161817296993158

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)