Kristine Smalls

Date Approved

9-29-2014

Embargo Period

3-3-2020

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

M.A. School Psychology-Professional School Psychology

Department

Educational Leadership

College

College of Education

Advisor

Alllen, Terri

Subject(s)

Mentoring; Optimism

Disciplines

Student Counseling and Personnel Services

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to explore "optimism," the characteristics of an optimistic person, and the relationship to the mentoring experience. Are optimistic individuals, likely to engage in helping others through volunteering and mentoring? The study specifically focused on the experiences of being a mentor or mentee and a possible relationship to learned optimism. The relationship between the mentoring experience and learned optimism was examined through the Life Orientation Test Revised (LOT-R) and a demographic survey. The Life Orientation Test- Revised has been used in numerous studies done to measure optimism in people and to test whether a person is optimistic in their life expectancies. There were zero significant differences between the groups as determined by the one-way analysis of variance. It was revealed that there was no correlation between those who were mentors and optimism. A one-way analysis of variance revealed that there is no correlation between those who were mentees and optimism. A one-way analysis of variance revealed that there is no correlation between those who were volunteers and optimism. A one-way analysis of variance revealed that there is no correlation between those who indicated above involvement a positive impact on life and optimism.

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