IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/spr/jhappi/v20y2019i6d10.1007_s10902-018-0014-z.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Examining the Mediating Roles of Strengths Knowledge and Strengths Use in a 1-Year Single-Session Character Strength-Based Cognitive Intervention

Author

Listed:
  • Wenjie Duan

    (Wuhan University
    Wuhan University)

  • He Bu

    (Wuhan University
    City University of Hong Kong)

  • Jinli Zhao

    (Wuhan University)

  • Xiaolong Guo

    (Wuhan University)

Abstract

Character strength-based interventions are an effective positive psychology approach in increasing happiness and reducing depression. However, little is known about whether the character strength-based interventions remain effective over an extended time period of 1 year, and why these activities (e.g., Identifying signature strengths and Using signature strengths in a new way) work. To address these issues, a 1-year randomized controlled intervention was conducted to examine the serial mediating role of strengths knowledge and strengths use. A hundred first-year students were randomly assigned into the intervention and the waiting-list control groups. The intervention group participated in four activities within a 90-min course and was encouraged to continue self-practice of the strengths-related activities after the intervention period. Immediate, short-term (i.e., 1 week), and long-term (i.e., 1 year) effectiveness were examined. Participants in the intervention group showed significant increase in thriving and decrease in negative emotional symptoms in the short term, but no effect was found for the control group. The long-term effects of thriving and negative emotional symptoms were insignificant for two experimental groups. Strengths use partially mediated the effectiveness of the intervention, but strengths knowledge did not significantly predict the outcomes. In conclusion, the character strength-based intervention can be an effective approach to improve the mental health of the first-year students. More attention should be paid to strengths use when practitioners design a character strength-based intervention.

Suggested Citation

  • Wenjie Duan & He Bu & Jinli Zhao & Xiaolong Guo, 2019. "Examining the Mediating Roles of Strengths Knowledge and Strengths Use in a 1-Year Single-Session Character Strength-Based Cognitive Intervention," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 20(6), pages 1673-1688, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jhappi:v:20:y:2019:i:6:d:10.1007_s10902-018-0014-z
    DOI: 10.1007/s10902-018-0014-z
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s10902-018-0014-z
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1007/s10902-018-0014-z?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Denise Quinlan & Nicola Swain & Dianne Vella-Brodrick, 2012. "Character Strengths Interventions: Building on What We Know for Improved Outcomes," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 13(6), pages 1145-1163, December.
    2. Wenjie Duan & Samuel Ho & Xiaoqing Tang & Tingting Li & Yonghong Zhang, 2014. "Character Strength-Based Intervention to Promote Satisfaction with Life in the Chinese University Context," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 15(6), pages 1347-1361, December.
    3. Maria Christina Meyers & Marianne Woerkom, 2017. "Effects of a Strengths Intervention on General and Work-Related Well-Being: The Mediating Role of Positive Affect," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 18(3), pages 671-689, June.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Meyers, Maria Christina & van Woerkom, Marianne & Bauwens, Robin, 2023. "Stronger together: A multilevel study of collective strengths use and team performance," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 159(C).
    2. Wenjie Duan & Yujia Fei & Xiaoqing Tang, 2020. "Latent Profiles and Grouping Effects of Resilience on Mental Health among Poor Children and Adolescents," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 13(2), pages 635-655, April.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Nicola S. Schutte & John M. Malouff, 2019. "The Impact of Signature Character Strengths Interventions: A Meta-analysis," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 20(4), pages 1179-1196, April.
    2. Wenjie Duan & Samuel M. Y. Ho, 2018. "Does Being Mindful of Your Character Strengths Enhance Psychological Wellbeing? A Longitudinal Mediation Analysis," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 19(4), pages 1045-1066, April.
    3. María J. Blanca & Marta Ferragut & Margarita Ortiz-Tallo & Rebecca Bendayan, 2018. "Life Satisfaction and Character Strengths in Spanish Early Adolescents," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 19(5), pages 1247-1260, June.
    4. Maria Christina Meyers & Byron G. Adams & Lusanda Sekaja & Carmen Buzea & Ana-Maria Cazan & Mihaela Gotea & Delia Stefenel & Marianne Woerkom, 2019. "Perceived Organizational Support for the Use of Employees’ Strengths and Employee Well-Being: A Cross-Country Comparison," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 20(6), pages 1825-1841, August.
    5. Tohar Dolev-Amit & Avinadav Rubin & Sigal Zilcha-Mano, 2021. "Is Awareness of Strengths Intervention Sufficient to Cultivate Wellbeing and Other Positive Outcomes?," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 22(2), pages 645-666, February.
    6. Marine Miglianico & Philippe Dubreuil & Paule Miquelon & Arnold B. Bakker & Charles Martin-Krumm, 2020. "Strength Use in the Workplace: A Literature Review," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 21(2), pages 737-764, February.
    7. Marc-Antoine Gradito Dubord & Jacques Forest & Lina Marija Balčiūnaitė & Evamaria Rauen & Tomas Jungert, 2022. "The power of strength-oriented feedback enlightened by self-determination theory: a positive technology-based intervention," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 23(6), pages 2827-2848, August.
    8. María Josefina Peláez & Cristián Coo & Marisa Salanova, 2020. "Facilitating Work Engagement and Performance Through Strengths-Based Micro-coaching: A Controlled Trial Study," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 21(4), pages 1265-1284, April.
    9. Shiri Lavy, 2020. "A Review of Character Strengths Interventions in Twenty-First-Century Schools: their Importance and How they can be Fostered," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 15(2), pages 573-596, April.
    10. Blake Allan, 2015. "Balance Among Character Strengths and Meaning in Life," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 16(5), pages 1247-1261, October.
    11. Sylvia Y C L Kwok & Siqi Fang, 2021. "A Cross-Lagged Panel Study Examining the Reciprocal Relationships Between Positive Emotions, Meaning, Strengths use and Study Engagement in Primary School Students," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 22(3), pages 1033-1053, March.
    12. Valdiney V. Gouveia & Isabel Cristina Vasconcelos de Oliveira & Alex Sandro de Moura Grangeiro & Renan Pereira Monteiro & Gabriel Lins de Holanda Coelho, 2021. "The Bright Side of the Human Personality: Evidence of a Measure of Prosocial Traits," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 22(3), pages 1459-1480, March.
    13. Inyong Shin & Won-Moo Hur & Seongho Kang, 2018. "How and When Are Job Crafters Engaged at Work?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-15, September.
    14. Wenjie Duan & Xinhang Yu & Xiaoqing Tang, 2023. "“Humor A B C” Program: Specific Strength Intervention in Facilitating the Positive Development of Left-Behind Children," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 24(4), pages 1605-1624, April.
    15. F. Javier García-Castro & Ana Alba & María J. Blanca, 2020. "Association Between Character Strengths and Caregiver Burden: Hope as a Mediator," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 21(4), pages 1445-1462, April.
    16. Hayley K. Jach & Jessie Sun & Daniel Loton & Tan-Chyuan Chin & Lea E. Waters, 2018. "Strengths and Subjective Wellbeing in Adolescence: Strength-Based Parenting and the Moderating Effect of Mindset," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 19(2), pages 567-586, February.
    17. Anne Kennes & Johan Lataster & Mayke Janssens & Marianne Simons & Jennifer Reijnders & Nele Jacobs & Sanne Peeters, 2023. "Efficacy of a School-Based Mental Health Intervention Based on Mindfulness and Character Strengths Use Among Adolescents: a Pilot Study of Think Happy-Be Happy Intervention," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 24(2), pages 677-697, February.
    18. Carlos Freire & María del Mar Ferradás & José Carlos Núñez & Antonio Valle & Guillermo Vallejo, 2018. "Eudaimonic Well-Being and Coping with Stress in University Students: The Mediating/Moderating Role of Self-Efficacy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(1), pages 1-15, December.
    19. Wenjie Duan & Bo Qi & Junrong Sheng & Yuhang Wang, 2020. "Latent Character Strength Profile and Grouping Effects," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 147(1), pages 345-359, January.
    20. Maria Christina Meyers & Marianne Woerkom, 2017. "Effects of a Strengths Intervention on General and Work-Related Well-Being: The Mediating Role of Positive Affect," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 18(3), pages 671-689, June.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:spr:jhappi:v:20:y:2019:i:6:d:10.1007_s10902-018-0014-z. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.springer.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.