The motivational benefits of specific versus general optimism.
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In: The Journal of Positive Psychology, Vol. 8, No. 5, 01.09.2013, p. 425-434.
Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - The motivational benefits of specific versus general optimism.
AU - Schmitt, Antje
AU - Gielnik, Michael
AU - Zacher, Hannes
AU - Kleemann, Daniela Katharina
PY - 2013/9/1
Y1 - 2013/9/1
N2 - This study addresses the question whether a specific, work-related form of optimistic thinking has motivational consequences in terms of work engagement above and beyond general optimism over time. A specific form of optimistic thinking is focus on opportunities. Focus on opportunities is a future-oriented belief that describes how many plans, goals, and possibilities people expect to have in their future at work. Based on a cross-lagged panel design with a two-year time lag and data from a sample of 124 German business owners, results of structural equation modeling showed that focus on opportunities positively predicted changes in work engagement over time, even when controlling for general optimism. This finding supports propositions of social cognition and self-regulation theories that emphasize the importance of a specific form of optimism that has motivating potential by referring to future work goals and opportunities.
AB - This study addresses the question whether a specific, work-related form of optimistic thinking has motivational consequences in terms of work engagement above and beyond general optimism over time. A specific form of optimistic thinking is focus on opportunities. Focus on opportunities is a future-oriented belief that describes how many plans, goals, and possibilities people expect to have in their future at work. Based on a cross-lagged panel design with a two-year time lag and data from a sample of 124 German business owners, results of structural equation modeling showed that focus on opportunities positively predicted changes in work engagement over time, even when controlling for general optimism. This finding supports propositions of social cognition and self-regulation theories that emphasize the importance of a specific form of optimism that has motivating potential by referring to future work goals and opportunities.
KW - Business psychology
KW - focus on opportunities
KW - optimism
KW - motivation
KW - Work engagement
KW - cross-lagged panel
KW - business owners
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84881666749&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - https://www.mendeley.com/catalogue/dc4bc7a0-b895-37a0-9d1e-f10c66d765d3/
U2 - 10.1080/17439760.2013.820338
DO - 10.1080/17439760.2013.820338
M3 - Journal articles
VL - 8
SP - 425
EP - 434
JO - The Journal of Positive Psychology
JF - The Journal of Positive Psychology
SN - 1743-9779
IS - 5
ER -