Character strengths are more or less stable personality traits and contribute to a fulfilling life. This web-based study aims to determine the factorial structure of character strengths and investigate the relationship between character strengths and life satisfaction regarding gender and age in an adult German sample (N = 423). Measures used are the Values in Action Inventory of Strengths (VIA-IS) and the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS). Four factors of character strengths were found through factor analysis: intellectual strengths, interpersonal strengths, emotional-spiritual strengths and strengths of restraint. All factors of character strengths correlated with life satisfaction with emotional-spiritual strengths being the highest. Women had higher scores on emotional-spiritual strengths whereas men had higher scores on intellectual strengths. Higher age was associated with higher scores on emotional-spiritual strengths and higher life satisfaction. Calculated separately for each age group the relation between character strengths and life satisfaction was mildly moderated by gender.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Abstract
- List of tables
- List of figures
- Introduction
- Theoretical background
- Character strengths
- Life satisfaction
- Character strengths and life satisfaction
- Relation of character strengths and life satisfaction to gender
- Relation of character strengths and life satisfaction to age
- Aim of this study and hypotheses
- Method
- Participants
- Instruments
- Procedure
- Results
- Factor analysis
- Preliminary analyses
- Results regarding the hypotheses
- Discussion
- Conclusion
- References
- Appendix
- The factorial structure of character strengths.
- The relationship between character strengths and life satisfaction.
- The influence of gender on the relationship between character strengths and life satisfaction.
- The influence of age on the relationship between character strengths and life satisfaction.
- The interaction between gender and age on the relationship between character strengths and life satisfaction.
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This research delves into the connection between character strengths and life satisfaction, specifically exploring how these relationships vary based on gender and age. Using a web-based study with a German sample, the research aims to determine the factorial structure of character strengths and analyze the relationship between character strengths and life satisfaction.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The study begins by introducing the theoretical background of character strengths and life satisfaction, highlighting the importance of exploring the “good” aspects of human experience within the field of positive psychology. The research methodology is then explained, outlining the participants, instruments used, and procedures of the study. Following this, the results of the study are presented, detailing the factor analysis conducted to identify the structure of character strengths and the analysis of the relationship between character strengths and life satisfaction. The impact of both gender and age on this relationship is then investigated.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The primary focus of this research centers on character strengths, life satisfaction, and the interplay of gender and age in influencing these concepts. Key terms include character strengths, VIA Inventory of Strengths, life satisfaction, and the interaction between these factors within an adult German sample.
- Quote paper
- Marie-Rose Degg (Author), 2017, Character strengths and life satisfaction, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/448866
