The study centered around the so-called self-efficacy expectation. “This means that a person is convinced that he or she can master difficult situations solely by relying on their own abilities and strengths. The self-efficacy expectation can be enhanced by targeted training”, explains Professor Thomas. The study was organized by the doctoral candidate Anna Moraß and collaborated with the vocational training center in Rummelsberg, from which approx. 30 trainees in their first training year participated. At the beginning, participants had to fill in a written questionnaire assessing their own self-efficacy. A focus was placed on performance-based and social aspects: Am I able to achieve good results in my training although others do not believe this? Can I actually pick up the phone and call a friend who is mad at me because I had a recent fight with him? Following this initial questioning, the young men and women had to download a smartphone app which questioned them on their current mood three times a day for four weeks and which was also tracked situations connected to success or failure. On the basis of the data collected in the participants’ everyday lives, the Master’s degree students Fatma Barutcu and Kathrin Peter met with the participants at the end of every week to look back on the events in coaching sessions: How did the participants’ mood develop during the past days? Which strengths and abilities were applied in which situations?
The participants’ feedback at the end of the study showed that the trainees were able to get to know themselves better by applying continuous reflection upon their actions in certain situations and were able to develop a better feeling and sensitivity for how to use their strengths and abilities. “I have become more self-confident, happier and more positive”, said one participant. In general, the young adults liked that they were given the chance to speak to the psychologists openly, which helped them to focus on the positive aspects of their everyday lives. “The study enabled us to look into new ways of providing support for our trainees. You discover new sides by offering a coaching which is conducted by external contact persons and combined with questionnaires on the trainees’ everyday lives”, says Matthias Wagner, head of the vocational training center in Rummelsberg. One thing is certain: the project has definitely helped participants in becoming more self-confident.
