The effects of strength-based versus deficit-based self-regulated learning strategies on students' effort intentions

In two randomized experiments, one conducted online (n = 174) and one in the classroom (n = 267), we tested the effects of two types of self-regulated learning (SRL) strategies on students’ intentions to put effort into professional development activities: strength-based SRL strategies (i.e., identifying perceived relative strengths and, subsequently, selecting professional development activities to further improve those strengths) versus deficit-based SRL strategies (i.e., identifying perceived relative short- comings and, subsequently, selecting professional develop- ment activities to improve those shortcomings). Across both studies, analysis of variance revealed that, relative to students who used deficit-based SRL strategies, students who used strength-based SRL strategies were higher in perceived competence, intrinsic motivation, and effort in- tentions. Moreover, the results of multi-mediator analysis and structural equation modeling supported the hypothesis that the effect of strength-based versus deficit-based SRL strategies on students’ effort intentions was sequentially mediated by perceived competence and intrinsic motiva- tion. Implications for the application of self-regulated learning strategies in the context of professional self-de- velopment are discussed

Co-worker dialogue : a tool for health, personal development, and an empowering development culture in the workplace

This study explores managers' perspective on how co-worker dialogue [CWD] can foster co-worker health and personal development, and contribute to an empowering development culture in the workplace. The interview study was performed at a hospital in Sweden. Seventeen hospital managers participated. The managers, both men and women, worked in different areas, and a majority had 30-40 co-workers. To uncover underlying pattern phenomena in the interview data, a six-step inductive qualitative thematic analysis was conducted. The findings present three themes, each highlighting different prerequisites for CWD to function as a resource for the co-workers and the workplace: (1) Utility; (2) Content, and (3) Implementation. The study provides suggestions for and problems of practical implications from the findings. To make the findings useful in other organizations, practical implications are presented and discussed in the light of workplace health promotion [WHP]. The CWD is not focusing on performance the way traditional PA does. The CWD is therefore an important complement to PA in annual co-worker meetings, to also highlight the co-worker perspective. If managers realize the value of working with both PA and CWD, opportunities for health, personal development, and an empowering development culture are created