Comparison of Effectiveness of Academic Meaning Oriented Training and Positive Psychology Training on Academic Optimism and Meaning of Education

Abstract

This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of academic meaning-oriented and positive psychology training on academic optimism and meaning of education in Iranian students in Denmark. The research method was semi-experimental with three groups in three pre-tests, post-test, and two-month follow-up stages. The statistical population was 200 Iranian students aged 12 to 18 years living in Copenhagen, Denmark, in the winter of 2021. Sixty students were selected through convenience sampling based on entre criteria and then randomly assigned to three groups (20 people in each group). Academic Optimism Questionnaire and Meaning of Education Scale were used to measure the dependent variables. The groups trained based on academic meaning-oriented training and positive psychology training in 10 sessions. Data were analyzed by univariate analysis of covariance. The results showed a significant difference between academic meaning-oriented training and positive psychology training with the control group in the post-test stage in academic optimism and academic meaning. There was no significant difference in academic optimism between the two groups of training. However, academic meaning-oriented training was more effective than positive psychology training in academic meaning. The results also show no significant difference in the variables of academic optimism and the meaning of education between research groups in the follow-up stage. According to the results, academic meaning-oriented training and positive psychology training is two effective ways to promote academic optimism and meaning of Iranian students living in Denmark.

Keywords

• meaning oriented training
• positive psychology training
• academic optimism
• academic meaning