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Do‐it‐yourself An online positive psychology intervention to promote positive emotions, self‐efficacy, and engagement at work

Do‐it‐yourself An online positive psychology intervention to promote positive emotions,... Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of an individual oriented positive psychology intervention on positive emotions, self‐efficacy, and work engagement. Design/methodology/approach – The online self‐enhancement intervention program consists of three types of online assignments: happiness assignments, goal setting assignments, and resource building assignments. The authors expected the self‐enhancement intervention group to show a significantly stronger increase in the outcome variables compared to a self‐monitoring control group. Findings – The results revealed that the self‐enhancement group showed a stronger increase in positive emotions and self‐efficacy compared to the control group, but not on engagement. Additional analyses showed that the positive effects of the self‐enhancement intervention are present for employees who are initially low in engagement, but not for those medium or high in engagement. Research limitations/implications – The study was conducted via a semi‐public web site. The participants were all working in different organizations throughout the country and did not have the advantage of having the support of their supervisors and colleagues who were participating in a similar intervention. Practical implications – Positive psychology interventions should target employees who are low in engagement, because they have the most unused potential and therefore have more to gain. Originality/value – Traditionally speaking, individual interventions are carried out when something is wrong or malfunctioning, and with the sole objective of fixing it. The intervention presented in this paper includes the entire workforce, because it is based on the belief that improving employee well‐being is relevant for all. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Career Development International Emerald Publishing

Do‐it‐yourself An online positive psychology intervention to promote positive emotions, self‐efficacy, and engagement at work

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Publisher
Emerald Publishing
Copyright
Copyright © 2013 Emerald Group Publishing Limited. All rights reserved.
ISSN
1362-0436
DOI
10.1108/CDI-10-2012-0102
Publisher site
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Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of an individual oriented positive psychology intervention on positive emotions, self‐efficacy, and work engagement. Design/methodology/approach – The online self‐enhancement intervention program consists of three types of online assignments: happiness assignments, goal setting assignments, and resource building assignments. The authors expected the self‐enhancement intervention group to show a significantly stronger increase in the outcome variables compared to a self‐monitoring control group. Findings – The results revealed that the self‐enhancement group showed a stronger increase in positive emotions and self‐efficacy compared to the control group, but not on engagement. Additional analyses showed that the positive effects of the self‐enhancement intervention are present for employees who are initially low in engagement, but not for those medium or high in engagement. Research limitations/implications – The study was conducted via a semi‐public web site. The participants were all working in different organizations throughout the country and did not have the advantage of having the support of their supervisors and colleagues who were participating in a similar intervention. Practical implications – Positive psychology interventions should target employees who are low in engagement, because they have the most unused potential and therefore have more to gain. Originality/value – Traditionally speaking, individual interventions are carried out when something is wrong or malfunctioning, and with the sole objective of fixing it. The intervention presented in this paper includes the entire workforce, because it is based on the belief that improving employee well‐being is relevant for all.

Journal

Career Development International – Emerald Publishing

Published: May 17, 2013

Keywords: Positive psychology intervention; Positive emotions; Self‐efficacy; Work engagement; Self‐enhancement

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