Abstract

• The main objective of this study was to investigate optimism and life satisfaction of student teachers. Quantitative approach was used in this research. A total of 800 student teachers from Yangon University of Education participated in this study. Student teachers’ optimism was assessed by using the Revised Life Orientation Test (LOT-R) which consists of 10 items. Student teachers’ life satisfaction was measured by using the Multidimensional Students’ Life Satisfaction Scale (MSLSS) which consists of 40 items with five subscales. The internal consistency (Cronbach’s Alpha) for LOT-R and MSLSS was 0.4 and 0.85. As the results of the research, most of the student teachers in this study had high level of optimism and life satisfaction. There were significant differences in optimism and life satisfaction by gender and age. It could be seen that female student teachers have more optimism and life satisfaction than male student teachers. And, younger student teachers possess higher optimism and life satisfaction than older one. But, there was no significant difference in optimism by family income. But there was significant difference in life satisfaction by family income. Student teachers with high income were more satisfied in their life. Finally, Pearson product moment correlation result revealed that student teachers’ optimism was positively correlated with life satisfaction. According to the findings of the regression analysis, optimism can contribute to student teachers’ life satisfaction.