Hope, mental health, and competency development in the workplace

Hope is an important motivational psychological resource for performance in various domains such as academics, the workplace, and athletics. This study examined the role of hope and mental health for competency development over 24 months within vocational education and training. A structural equation model based on longitudinal data suggested that vocational competency at the end of training was related to levels of hope three months earlier, even after controlling for vocational competency 24 months earlier. Mid training vocational competency was only marginally related to subsequent levels of hope nine months later. Though hypothesized cross-lagged effects between hope and mental health were not found, the constructs nevertheless related synchronously. Higher vocational competency related positively to mental health nine months later. This study thus suggest, that promoting hope at the workplace will not just strengthen psychological resources, but also positively impact the development of vocational competencies. (DIPF/Orig.)