Representative Sampling of the VIA Assessment Suite for Adults

Abstract

Character strengths have become a popular topic in personality research. A set of questionnaires has recently been developed as measures of character strengths: the VIA Inventory of Strengths-Revised, two 96-item short forms of that instrument, and two new measures called the Global Assessment of Character Strengths and Signature Strengths Survey. Collectively, these are referred to as the VIA Assessment Suite for Adults. Prior research has supported the reliability and validity of these measures. The current study extended those findings through a demographically stratified sample of 1,765 U.S. resident adults. Results indicated the scores were interchangeable across all three versions of the VIA-IS, irrespective of whether the items are all positively keyed or a mix of positive and negative items. In addition, the VIA-IS-R factor structure is also consistent with a previously identified three-factor model for the strengths. By freeing residual covariances, a model was developed for which adequate fit was replicable. This provided the foundation for demonstrating measurement invariance. The present study also explored differences in strengths across demographic categories and evaluated various approaches to identifying key (signature) strengths for the respondents. Recommendations on the use of the different instruments are provided.

Purpose in Life and Character Strengths as Predictors of Health Sciences Students’ Psychopathology During the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…The former was analyzed using the PIL scale [CP = 113; adequate internal consistency and construct validity ( 27 )], calculating a dichotomous variable that differentiated between those who presented a high sense of PIL and those who did not. Global Assessment of Character Strengths-24 (GACS-24) [reliability = 0.78 ( 28 )] was used to assess the character strengths of the participants. Finally, moral courage was assessed with the Moral Courage Scale for Physicians (MCSP) [reliability = 0.90; proven factorial, convergent, discriminant and concurrent validity ( 29 )] and the Professional Moral Courage Scale (PMCS) [construct validity achieved ( 30 ); reliability = 0.85; supported factorial and convergent validity ( 31 )].…”

Process of change and effectiveness of family constellations: “On the verge of divorce, I glimpse my finitude.” A mixed methods single case study on suicidal ideation.

“…Moreover, from the PT’s perspective, it was crucial to foster the patient’s resilience through the suggestion of filling in an inventory of character strengths (McGrath, 2019; Petersen & Seligman, 2004), which seemed to function as a buffer for the venting of traumatic memories, for the confrontations conveyed by the phenomenological field, and for encouragement of a more positive and realistic self-representation in the patient, given that, according to DASS-21 baseline results, he felt very down-hearted and blue, not having much worth as a person, and it was difficult for him to experience positive feelings. Still, an indirect intervention delivered to the patient’s wife on the relationship with herself also seemed to be fundamental: the confrontation between a parental dreamed baby and a real baby.…”

“…On the seventh session, regarded as a transtheoretical intervention (i.e. self-positive regard; Norcross & Wampold, 2011; Yager & Feinstein, 2017), the patient also filled in the VIA Inventory of Strengths (McGrath, 2019; Peterson & Seligman, 2004).…”

Development and psychometric evaluation of the Clericalism Observer Rating Scale.

“…Developed by McGrath (2017), the GACS-24 is a self-report measure which captures the level of 24 character strengths in participants. Character strengths in participants are experienced as an essential part of who the person is, as natural and effortless, and as uplifting and energizing to express (McGrath, 2017). Items on the GACS-24 were scored on a seven-point rating scale ranging from 1 ( very strongly disagree ) to 7 ( very strongly agree ).…”