Abstract:
In the current global teacher shortage, preparing teachers who have the knowledge, skills and resources to have sustained and successful careers and experience positive wellbeing at work is critical.This paper presents findings from a national quantitative study investigating the role of five personal resources in relation to pre-service teachers (PSTs) teaching-related outcomes. Specifically, the personal resources were adaptability, workplace buoyancy, psychological detachment, optimism, and social self-efficacy and the two outcomes were subjective vitality at work and occupational commitment. Participants were 664 Australian pre-service teachers who had at least 40 days professional experience. Data were gathered during 2020-2023 via a series of online learning modules designed to assist development of skills and resources to support their wellbeing in the profession. Results indicated that adaptability, optimism, and social self-efficacy played unique roles in relation to subjective vitality at work and occupational commitment. Results also show the extent to which the role of personal resources differed during and after COVID-19. Findings from this study and implications for supporting well-being and occupational commitment through initial teacher education will be discussed.