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National Valuing of Character Strengths and Indicators of National Development: A Pilot Study

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  • Michelle A. Pievsky

    (Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care
    Yale New Haven Health)

  • Robert E. McGrath

    (Fairleigh Dickinson University)

Abstract

Character strengths are personal qualities that have communal value and have been linked to personal happiness and well-being. Little research has investigated the degree to which strengths are valued across nations. Similarly, while certain strengths have been associated with indicators of well-being on an individual level, it is yet to be explored which strengths are associated with indicators of national development and well-being. The present study examined the relationship between perceived national valuing of character strengths and key national indicators. A sample of 2119 adults from 84 countries were asked to rate the extent to which each of 24 character strengths is valued by their country. Strength ratings were then compared to indices of national functioning: happiness, freedom, corruption, and gross domestic product per capita measured at purchasing power parity (GDP). The strengths the participants perceived as valued by their countries differed from their self-evaluations of their character strengths. Bravery was the most valued strength across all geographic regions and countries, and humility was the least. Valuing of humor was most consistently and strongly related to happiness. GDP was associated with less prudence, kindness, fairness, and honesty, and more bravery, perseverance, and spirituality. Greater honesty was reflective of less corruption. Freedom was inconsistently related to valuations of strengths. This study should be considered a pilot given its limitations, but it suggests the degree to which a society values certain socially important person variables does not appear to affect individual expression of character strengths, but may be related to national functioning.

Suggested Citation

  • Michelle A. Pievsky & Robert E. McGrath, 2022. "National Valuing of Character Strengths and Indicators of National Development: A Pilot Study," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 17(2), pages 703-721, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:ariqol:v:17:y:2022:i:2:d:10.1007_s11482-021-09938-2
    DOI: 10.1007/s11482-021-09938-2
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Astra Bonini, 2008. "Cross-National Variation in Individual Life Satisfaction: Effects of National Wealth, Human Development, and Environmental Conditions," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 87(2), pages 223-236, June.
    2. Robert Biswas-Diener, 2006. "From the Equator to the North Pole: A Study of Character Strengths," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 7(3), pages 293-310, September.
    3. Miao Wang & M. Wong, 2014. "Happiness and Leisure Across Countries: Evidence from International Survey Data," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 15(1), pages 85-118, February.
    4. Jeffrey D. Sachs & Richard Layard & John F. Helliwell, 2018. "World Happiness Report 2018," Working Papers id:12761, eSocialSciences.
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