Journal Article

A Strengths Awareness Pilot for an Australian University Mentoring Program

Naia Robinson, Sarah Walker

2024

Overview

Strengths-based initiatives for university students to identify and develop their strengths are increasing in popularity in the tertiary sector. An understanding of strengths provides students with greater resilience in their transition in and out of university. While such strengths-based initiatives have been studied among first-year student populations at large universities in the United States, scant research has been conducted on strengths development in the Australian tertiary sector. This mixed methods study evaluates the efficacy of the use of the CliftonStrengths Assessment and targeted strengths workshops on a group of mentors and mentees within a peer mentoring program at a university in Australia. Quantitative analysis indicated increases in strengths awareness. Qualitative analysis also revealed participants could positively view their strengths, identify a plan for future strengths use, and view others and themselves in a new light. This study served as a base for further research into strengths development at Australian universities. [Author abstract]

• Publisher: QUT Library,University of Southern Queensland
• Subject: Attitudes / cliftonstrengths / College freshmen / College students / Evaluation / First year students / Higher education / Mentoring / Mentors / Multimethod techniques / peer mentoring / Peer teaching / Pilot projects / Positive psychology / Psychological testing / Resilience (Personality) / Safety measures / strenghts awareness / Strengths-based approach / University students / Work environment / Workshops