This paper addresses the question as to whether previously reported findings on a positive relation between character strengths, satisfaction with life, and orientations to happiness oth can be. Out of the 24 character strengths, the happinessrelated strengths hope, zest, gratitude, curiosity. An experimental group that trained strengths of the valuesinaction classification that typically correlate highly with life satisfaction curiosity, gratitude, hope, humor, and zest was compared in its gain in life satisfaction with a group that trained strengths. Happiness orientation through pursuing a life of meaning is preferred by all four ethnic groups. Below is a robust sampling of character strengths research organized by key topic area. For more articles, best practices, and stories visit our resources page.
Research reveals that people who use their strengths a lot are 18x more likely. However, there remains a dearth of research examining generic strengths use and its relationship with wellbeing, healthrelated quality of life hrqol, and via character strengths. Every individual possesses all 24 character strengths in different degrees, giving each person a unique character profile. Pdf strengths of character, orientations to happiness. Strengths of character, orientations to happiness, life satisfaction and purpose in singapore article pdf available january 2015 with 159 reads how we measure reads. A sample of singapore adults n 304 completed an online survey in english comprising four measures, the values in action inventory of strengths, the orientations to happiness scale, the satisfaction with life scale and the life engagement test. In the present study, we examined associations of employees use of character strengths at work with productivity, organizational citizenship behavior ocb, and job satisfaction. Pdf humor as character strength and its relation to life. It is one of the signature character strengths we are gifted with and involves components of motivation, adventurousness, and robust coping mechanisms zestful people perform tasks wholeheartedly and focus more on the positive aspects of life. Character strengths are a core and foundational part of who we are, a collection of positive individual character traits that we all possess and which are linked to our development, wellbeing, and life satisfaction niemiec, 20. Character strengths, life satisfaction and orientations to happiness. Character strengths are important personal qualities that are proposed to be productive and critical for lifelong optimal human development.
Pdf strengths of character, orientations to happiness, life. In both samples, the strengths of character most associated with life satisfaction were associated with orientations to pleasure, to engagement, and to meaning. The classification of character strengths and virtues. In both samples, the character strengths most highly linked to life satisfaction included love, hope, curiosity, and zest. Character strengths and life satisfaction in later life. Strengths use as a predictor of wellbeing and health. One model for looking at the dimensionality of character strengths is to place each strength on a continuum in which too much of a strength in a particular context becomes overuse, too little is underuse, and the center area is the strengths zone or optimal expression. In a study examining strength factors, the transcendence strengths were the strongest predictor of life satisfaction and positive affect, while all the strength factors related to. Pdf strengths of character, orientations to happiness, and life. This study examines the relationships among these character strengths, including happiness, life purpose and life satisfaction as valued by singapore chinese, malays, indians and other asians and caucasians. A sample of us adults n 12,439 completed online surveys in english measuring character strengths, orientations to happiness engagement, pleasure, and meaning, and life satisfaction, and a sample of swiss adults n 445 completed paperandpencil versions of the same surveys in. Strengths of character, orientations to happiness, life satisfaction. Results show that zest, hope, curiosity, capacity to love and gratitude are the top. People with a religious affiliation that also practice their religion were found to be more satisfied with their life and scored higher on life of meaning than those who do not practice their religion.
Click on the topic area to view short summaries of research study conclusions. Orientations to happiness and life satisfaction in twenty. Strengths of character, orientations to happiness, and. This paper addresses the question as to whether previously reported findings on a positive relation between character strengths, satisfaction with life, and orientations to happiness. The character strengths turned out to be highly predictive of subjective wellbeing, explaining 51. A sample of singapore adults n 304 completed an online survey in english. Humor as character strength and its relation to life satisfaction and happiness in autism spectrum disorders article pdf available in humor. References for each study are listed at the bottom of the entire list. We assessed life satisfaction swls, character strengths viais and the orientations to happiness oth in a sample of n 20538 participants.
Adults from 27 different nations total n 24,836 completed online surveys in english measuring orientations to the seeking of happiness through pleasure, through engagement, and through meaning and life satisfaction. Definition in positive psychology and mental health, zest implies the virtue of living life with thrill and excitement. Based on the broadenandbuild theory of positive emotions, we suggested a multiple mediation model demonstrating how these associations are mediated by positive. The practice of character strengths has not been studied as extensively. Happiness orientation through pursuing a life of meaning is preferred by. Strengths of character, orientations to happiness, life satisfaction and purpose in singapore.
A sample of 334 swiss adults completed questionnaires and. Character strength research into positive psychology study. Character strengths, character building experts via. They can be thought of as key capabilities, influencing how we think, act, and feel, and representing what we. The character strengths link with life satisfaction slightly decreased with age but increased for some strengths such as humility and prudence baumann et al. There is a growing body of research devoted to the examination of character strengths as conceptualized by valuesinaction via strengths classification system. He suggested that people develop certain personality styles or strategies in order to deal with the anxiety created by feelings of isolation. Your character strengths are the qualities that come most naturally to you. A positive relation of the good character with life satisfaction was identified in several.
Orientation to happiness mediansplit group scores on average life satisfaction, positive affect, and negative affect. Seligman4 1university of michigan, usa, 2university of zurich, switzerland, 3university of rhode island, usa, and 4university of. Orientations to happiness and the experience of everyday. In this sample, only meaning turned out to be significantly related to subjective wellbeing, whereas the other orientations to happiness, engagement and pleasure, were not. Of these character types, he suggested that four of them are unproductive orientations. Strengths of character, orientations to happiness, and life satisfaction article pdf available in the journal of positive psychology 23. A sample of us adults n 12,439 completed online surveys in english measuring character strengths, orientations to happiness engagement, pleasure, and meaning, and life satisfaction, and a sample of swiss adults n 445 completed paperandpencil versions of. This paper addresses the question as to whether previously reported findings on a positive relation between character strengths, satisfaction with life, and orientations to happiness oth can be replicated for peer ratings of character strengths. Character strengths and life satisfaction character strengths, life satisfaction and orientations to happiness a study of the nordic countries master thesis kristin hool masters programme in health promotion and health psychology department of health promotion and development faculty of psychology university of bergen 2011. Erich fromm was a neofreudian psychoanalyst who suggested a theory of personality based on two primary needs. Why are certain character strengths more associated with life satisfaction than others. The study compares the impact of character strengths based positive interventions in a sample of 178 adults. Distinguishing relational aspects of character strengths with.
The measurement of character strengths and the different traits that go into making them have many applications, from life satisfaction to happiness and other wellbeing predictors. A sample of 334 swiss adults completed questionnaires and collected informant ratings by 634 peers. Seligman4 1university of michigan, usa, 2university of zurich, switzerland, 3university of rhode island, usa, and 4university of pennsylvania, usa. Research has found a number of important links between these character strengths and valued outcomes e. Satisfaction with life and character strengths of non. A sample of us adults n 12439 completed online surveys in english. When you know your strengths, you can improve your life and thrive. Ethnic differences are found for character strengths of. Character strengths and life satisfaction of high school. Strengths of character, orientations to happiness, life. Positive psychology has identified six virtues comprising 24 character strengths of humans. A sample of us adults n 12,439 completed online surveys in english measuring character strengths, orientations to happiness engagement, pleasure, and meaning, and life satisfaction, and a sample of swiss adults n 445 completed paperandpencil versions of the same surveys in german.
These measurement tools have been used to study how these strengths have been developed across genders and age groups. This study investigated the distribution of the values in action character strengths among high school students and their relationship with satisfaction with life of the students. How do they relate to satisfaction with life and orientations to happiness. We measured life satisfaction and the endorsement of three di. Strengths of character, orientations to happiness, and life satisfaction. The dynamics of character strengths remains a new area of study. Character strengths, life satisfaction and orientations to. Results show that zest, hope, curiosity, capacity to love and gratitude are the top five character.