Gender and psychological correlates of self-rated strengths among youth

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2014

Authors

Neto, J (Author) Other; Félix Neto (Author) FPCEUP; Furnham, A (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Social Indicators Research

Vol. 118 No. 1

Pages: 315-327

ISSN: 0303-8300

Publisher: Springer Nature

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 0 Citations

ISI Web of Science

Scopus - 0 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Social sciences > Psychology

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-009-MR4

DOI: 10.1007/s11205-013-0417-5

Abstract (EN): Research on virtues and character strengths has increased over the last decade. A total of 283 young participants from Portugal completed a measure of character strengths (Furnham and Lester in Eur J Psychol Assess 28:95-101, 2012) grounded on the values in action inventory of strengths (Peterson and Seligman in Character strengths and virtues: a handbook of classification, APA Press, Washington, DC, 2004). Participants also completed well-being measures, and a Big Five personality trait measure. The study examined the factor structure of self-assessed character strengths as well as demographic (particularly gender), well-being and personality correlates of the virtues which are the "higher order" classification of the strengths. Our results provided evidence for a four-dimensional model, though somewhat different from the theoretical formulation. Females typically scored higher on character strengths than males. Regressions investigating demographic, well-being and personality determinants of these strengths evidenced personality factors (particularly openness and agreeableness) were always most powerful predictors of the self-reported strengths than demographic and well-being measures. Limitations of the research are discussed and directions for future investigation are suggested.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 13