Experimental Analysis of a Web-Based Training Intervention to Develop Positive Psychological Capital

Authors

Fred Luthans, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
James B. Avey, Central Washington UniversityFollow
Jaime L. Patera, University of Nebraska - Lincoln

Document Type

Article

Date of this Version

2008

Citation

Published in Academy of Management Learning & Education, 2008, Vol.7 No. 2, pp. 209-221

Comments

Copyright © 2008 Academy of Management. Used by permission.

Abstract

Psychological capital with components of hope, self-efficacy, optimism, and resiliency has recently emerged as a core construct in taking positive psychology to the workplace. A distinguishing feature is that it is “state-like” and thus open to development. We analyze whether such psychological capital can be developed through a highly focused, 2-hour web-based training intervention. Using a pretest, posttest experimental design (n = 187 randomly assigned to the treatment group and n = 177 to the control group), we found support that psychological capital can be developed by such a training intervention.