IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/spr/jhappi/v21y2020i6d10.1007_s10902-019-00170-2.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Why Are Signature Strengths and Well-Being Related? Tests of Multiple Hypotheses

Author

Listed:
  • Tamar Blanchard

    (Fairleigh Dickinson University)

  • Todd Kerbeykian

    (Fairleigh Dickinson University)

  • Robert E. McGrath

    (Fairleigh Dickinson University)

Abstract

The study of character strengths stems from positive psychology’s quest to understand positive personality traits that foster positive functioning and flourishing. Signature strengths are character strengths that are considered particularly relevant to the identity of the individual. These have been related to subjective well-being (SWB) in both cross-sectional and intervention studies. However, contributors to this relationship remain unclear. The present study examined the following possible explanations for the relationship between signature strengths and SWB: the perceived ability to use signature strengths, recognition of signature strengths by others, and valuing of signature strengths by one’s school, workplace, and country. Also, existing approaches to identifying signature strengths do not accurately reflect the construct as it was originally conceived. To address these issues, this study used the Signature Strengths Survey (McGrath in Technical report: the VIA assessment suite for adults: development and initial evaluation, rev ed. VIA Institute on Character, Cincinnati, 2019), which was developed to address inadequacies in current measurement methods, allowing the respondent to set the number of signature strengths. In a sample of 2875 adults recruited online, results revealed that signature strengths being perceived as valued and recognized by others, rather than identification with and enactment of particular strengths, best predicted SWB. Results merit replication, but suggest that focus on signature strengths valued by others in one’s environment can be particularly contributory to SWB.

Suggested Citation

  • Tamar Blanchard & Todd Kerbeykian & Robert E. McGrath, 2020. "Why Are Signature Strengths and Well-Being Related? Tests of Multiple Hypotheses," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 21(6), pages 2095-2114, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jhappi:v:21:y:2020:i:6:d:10.1007_s10902-019-00170-2
    DOI: 10.1007/s10902-019-00170-2
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s10902-019-00170-2
    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/s10902-019-00170-2?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. Marco Weber & Lisa Wagner & Willibald Ruch, 2016. "Positive Feelings at School: On the Relationships Between Students’ Character Strengths, School-Related Affect, and School Functioning," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 17(1), pages 341-355, February.
    2. ,, 2000. "Problems And Solutions," Econometric Theory, Cambridge University Press, vol. 16(2), pages 287-299, April.
    3. Blake Allan & Ryan Duffy, 2014. "Examining Moderators of Signature Strengths Use and Well-being: Calling and Signature Strengths Level," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 15(2), pages 323-337, April.
    4. Claudia Harzer & Willibald Ruch, 2013. "The Application of Signature Character Strengths and Positive Experiences at Work," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 14(3), pages 965-983, June.
    5. Fabian Gander & René Proyer & Willibald Ruch & Tobias Wyss, 2013. "Strength-Based Positive Interventions: Further Evidence for Their Potential in Enhancing Well-Being and Alleviating Depression," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 14(4), pages 1241-1259, August.
    6. René Proyer & Willibald Ruch & Claudia Buschor, 2013. "Testing Strengths-Based Interventions: A Preliminary Study on the Effectiveness of a Program Targeting Curiosity, Gratitude, Hope, Humor, and Zest for Enhancing Life Satisfaction," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 14(1), pages 275-292, March.
    7. Satoshi Shimai & Keiko Otake & Nansook Park & Christopher Peterson & Martin Seligman, 2006. "Convergence of Character Strengths in American and Japanese Young Adults," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 7(3), pages 311-322, September.
    8. Anat Shoshani & Michelle Slone, 2013. "Middle School Transition from the Strengths Perspective: Young Adolescents’ Character Strengths, Subjective Well-Being, and School Adjustment," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 14(4), pages 1163-1181, August.
    9. 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.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    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. Claudia Harzer & Willibald Ruch, 2016. "Your Strengths are Calling: Preliminary Results of a Web-Based Strengths Intervention to Increase Calling," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 17(6), pages 2237-2256, December.
    2. Hadassah Littman-Ovadia & Shiri Lavy & Maayan Boiman-Meshita, 2017. "When Theory and Research Collide: Examining Correlates of Signature Strengths Use at Work," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 18(2), pages 527-548, April.
    3. Alexandra Huber & Cornelia Strecker & Melanie Hausler & Timo Kachel & Thomas Höge & Stefan Höfer, 2020. "Possession and Applicability of Signature Character Strengths: What Is Essential for Well-Being, Work Engagement, and Burnout?," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 15(2), pages 415-436, April.
    4. Sonja Heintz & Willibald Ruch, 2020. "Character Strengths and Job Satisfaction: Differential Relationships Across Occupational Groups and Adulthood," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 15(2), pages 503-527, April.
    5. Eleni Petkari & Margarita Ortiz-Tallo, 2018. "Towards Youth Happiness and Mental Health in the United Arab Emirates: The Path of Character Strengths in a Multicultural Population," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 19(2), pages 333-350, February.
    6. Richard Douglass & Ryan Duffy, 2015. "Strengths Use and Life Satisfaction: A Moderated Mediation Approach," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 16(3), pages 619-632, June.
    7. 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.
    8. 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.
    9. Fabian Gander & Jennifer Hofmann & René T. Proyer & Willibald Ruch, 2020. "Character Strengths – Stability, Change, and Relationships with Well-Being Changes," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 15(2), pages 349-367, April.
    10. 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.
    11. Tommaso Feraco & Nicole Casali & Chiara Meneghetti & Samuel Greiff & Giorgia Cona, 2023. "Is Good Character All that Counts? A Comparison Between the Predictive Role of Specific Strengths and a General Factor of “Good Character” Using a Bifactor Model," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 24(7), pages 2353-2376, October.
    12. 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.
    13. Yu-Hsiu Liao & Mei-Fang Lee & Yao-Ting Sung & Hsueh-Chih Chen, 2023. "The Effects of Humor Intervention on Teenagers’ Sense of Humor, Positive Emotions, and Learning Ability: A Positive Psychological Perspective," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 24(4), pages 1463-1481, April.
    14. Fabian Gander & René T. Proyer & Willibald Ruch, 2017. "The Subjective Assessment of Accomplishment and Positive Relationships: Initial Validation and Correlative and Experimental Evidence for Their Association with Well-Being," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 18(3), pages 743-764, June.
    15. Thomas Höge & Cornelia Strecker & Melanie Hausler & Alexandra Huber & Stefan Höfer, 2020. "Perceived Socio-moral Climate and the Applicability of Signature Character Strengths at Work: a Study among Hospital Physicians," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 15(2), pages 463-484, April.
    16. Datu, Jesus Alfonso D. & Jose Mateo, Nino, 2020. "Character strengths, academic self-efficacy, and well-being outcomes in the Philippines: A longitudinal study," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 119(C).
    17. Cornelia Strecker & Alexandra Huber & Thomas Höge & Melanie Hausler & Stefan Höfer, 2020. "Identifying thriving Workplaces in Hospitals: Work Characteristics and the Applicability of Character Strengths at Work," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 15(2), pages 437-461, April.
    18. Sonja Habenicht & Nicola S. Schutte, 2023. "The Impact of Recognizing a Romantic Partner’s Character Strengths on Relationship Satisfaction," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 24(3), pages 1219-1231, March.
    19. Maria Christina Meyers & Dorien Kooij & Brigitte Kroon & Renee Reuver & Marianne Woerkom, 2020. "Organizational Support for Strengths Use, Work Engagement, and Contextual Performance: The Moderating Role of Age," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 15(2), pages 485-502, April.
    20. Stevanovic Dalibor, 2016. "Common time variation of parameters in reduced-form macroeconomic models," Studies in Nonlinear Dynamics & Econometrics, De Gruyter, vol. 20(2), pages 159-183, April.

    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:21:y:2020:i:6:d:10.1007_s10902-019-00170-2. 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.