Positive Psychology and Special Education

Abstract

The effects of positive psychology on enhancing educational work, particularly the work of special education teachers, are significant and multifaceted. Positive psychology focuses on enhancing well-being, happiness, and positive emotions, and its application in the educational context is crucial. This study aimed to examine how hope and optimism affect job satisfaction and teachers' relationships with special education students. The research involved 100 teachers working in educational units across Greece. A four-part questionnaire was constructed using the scales of job satisfaction, teachers' hope and optimism, and relationships with students. The results revealed that hope had a statistically significant positive correlation with satisfaction and student-teacher relationships. Also, results highlighted that hope and optimism significantly predict student-teacher relationships. The study results underscore the importance of fostering hope and optimism in special education settings to enhance educators' professional fulfillment and relational dynamics with students.