From Insecurity and Doubt to Hope and Confidence: Evidence of Positive Outcomes Using a Holistic, Narrative Method – Keynote and Workshop by Mark Franklin

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How do you measure qualities like hope and optimism?

frans-mark

Nov. 29, 2013

Hello Dutch Conference delegates,

Dank u wel! It was a pleasure to share ideas with you. A few of you asked how to measure qualities like hope and optimism. I include below a few definitions and sample items from the measures I mentioned.

Psychological Capital Questionnaire (PCQ) (Luthans, Avolio, et al., 2007). Definition: “Who you are and what you can become in terms of positive development” (Luthans, Norman, et al., 2008, p. 223).

  • Number of items: 24
  • Source: http://www.mindgarden.com/products/pcq.htm
  • Sample Items (Adapted with approval from the original questionnaire)
  • Self-efficacy (6 items) is “having confidence to take on and put in the necessary effort to succeed at challenging tasks”   Sample: “I feel confident analyzing a long-term problem to find a solution.”
  • Optimism (6 items) is “Making a positive attribution about succeeding now and in the future”  Sample: “I’m optimistic about what will happen to me in the future as it pertains to in my career and life.”
  • Hope (6 items) is “Persevering toward goals and, when necessary, redirecting paths to goals in order to succeed”    Sample:  “If I should find myself in a jam in my career and life, I could think of many ways to get out of it.”
  • Resiliency (6 items) is “When beset by problems and adversity, sustaining and bouncing back and even beyond to attain success”     Sample: “I usually manage difficulties one way or another in my career and life.”

Curiosity and Exploration Inventory (CEI) (Kashdan, Gallagher, et al., 2009). Definition:  “Positive emotional-motivational system associated with the recognition, pursuit, and self-regulation of novelty and challenge” (Kashdan, Rose, & Fincham, 2004, p.291).

  • Number of items: 10
  • Source: http://psychfaculty.gmu.edu/kashdan/CEI-II.pdf
  • Stretching (5 items) is Motivation to seek out knowledge and new experiences.   Sample:  “I actively seek as much information as I can in new situations.”
  • Embracing (5 items) is Willingness to embrace the novel, uncertain, and unpredictable nature of everyday life.   Sample:   “I am the kind of person who embraces unfamiliar people, events, and places.”

Personal Growth Initiative Scale (PGIS) (Robitschek, 1998). Definition:  Active and intentional involvement in seeking growth and improving one’s self in different areas of his or her life (Robitschek, 1998, 1999).

  • Number of Items: 9
  • Source: http://www.ppc.sas.upenn.edu/personalgrowthscale.pdf
  • Sample Items: “If I want to change something in my life, I initiate the transition process.”; “I know what I need to do to get started toward reaching my goals.” ; “I have a good sense of where I am headed in my life.”

References

Canadian Standards and Guidelines for Career Development Practitioners. Revised 2012 http://www.career-dev-guidelines.org/career_dev/  See in particular, Area of Specialization: Career Counselling, S3.2 Demonstrate Method of Practice in Interactions with Clients

Kashdan, T.B., Gallagher, M.W., Silvia, P.J., Winterstein, B.P., Breen, W.E., Terhar, D., & Steger, M.F. (2009). The Curiosity and Exploration Inventory-II: Development, factor structure, and initial psychometrics. Journal of Research in Personality, 43, 987-998.

Kashdan, T. B., Rose, P., & Fincham, F. D. (2004). Curiosity and exploration: Facilitating positive subjective experiences and personal growth opportunities. Journal of Personality Assessment, 82, 291–305

Luthans, F., Avolio, B.J., Avey, J.B., & Norman, S.M. (2007).  Positive psychological capital:  Measurement and relationship with performance and satisfaction. Personnel Psychology 60, 541-572.

Luthans, F., Norman, S. M., Avolio, B. J., & Avey, J. B. (2008). The mediating role of psychological capital in the supportive organizational climate—employee performance relationship. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 29, 219–238.

Robitschek, C. (1998). Personal growth initiative: The construct and its measure. Measurement and Evaluation in Counseling and Development, 30, 183-198.

Robitschek, C., & Cook, S. W. (1999). The influence of personal growth initiative and coping styles on career exploration and vocational identity. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 54, 127-141.

Zikic,J., Franklin,M. (2010). Enriching careers and lives: introducing a positive, holistic, and narrative career counseling method that bridges theory and practice. Journal of Employment Counseling, 47-4, 180-189.

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