Character strengths of first-year student teachers and the 5 Cs of the Positive Youth Development framework: A mixed-methods study

Abstract

The Positive Psychology and Positive Youth Development frameworks conceptually overlap noticeably, such as their orientation to a thriving continuum, yet they vary in certain respects like their theoretical backgrounds and focus on different populations. The VIA (Values in Action) Classification of character strengths and virtues constitutes an important research topic in positive psychology. Character strengths are defined as positive personality traits that are morally valuable; they can be systematically developed and contribute to various positive outcomes. The theoretical framework of Positive Youth Development is operationalised by the 5 Cs: Competence, Confidence, Character, Caring and Connection. The aim of the study was to examine the relationship between character strengths and the 5 Cs of the Positive Youth Development framework given that this relationship has yet to be studied empirically. The sample consisted of 130 first-year Slovenian student teachers, mostly female (just 2 males). The participants' average age was 19.51 years. First-year students face two distinct transitions (developmental and educational), meaning they need support during this period. Mixed-methods were used in the study; quantitative (correlational analysis) and qualitative analysis (content analysis of students' written responses to open-ended questions). The results show that 12 out of 24 character strengths relate to the 5 Cs:

Finding consensus on well-being in education

“…Aristotelian and liberal stances toward character education converge in the idea that the general goal is for students to become self-governing in a way that is appropriately responsive to the value of what is at stake in their decisions, and SDT provides insight into relevant processes of value acquisition, experience of meaning, and the importance of valuing others (and other transcendent values) to a person's own well-being (Curren and Ryan, 2020;Heintzelman, 2018;Martela and Steger, 2016;Ryan and Martela, 2016;Weinstein et al, 2012). Numerous PP/PosEd studies provide further empirical evidence that strengths of character contribute to flourishing (Gradisek, 2021;Kumar and Mohideen, 2021;Malin et al, 2017;Matsuguma et al, 2021;Qin et al, 2022;Toner et al, 2012;Weber et al, 2016).…”