Strengths of character, orientations to happiness, life satisfaction and purpose in Singapore

Abstract

Positive psychology has identified six virtues comprising 24 character strengths of humans. This study examines the relationships among these character strengths, including Happiness, Life Purpose and Life Satisfaction as valued by Singapore Chinese, Malays, Indians and Other Asians and Caucasians. A sample of Singapore adults (N = 304) completed an online survey in English comprising four measures, the Values in Action Inventory of Strengths, the Orientations to Happiness Scale, the Satisfaction with Life Scale and the Life Engagement Test. Results show that Zest, Hope, Curiosity, Capacity to Love and Gratitude are the top five character strengths of the sampled Singaporeans. Happiness orientation through pursuing a Life of Meaning is preferred by all four ethnic groups. Ethnic differences are found for character strengths of Kindness, Humour, Gratitude, and Religiousness and Spirituality. Life of Meaning and Life of Engagement, Happiness orientations and character strengths of Curiosity and Perseverance are direct predictors of Life Purpose. In turn, Life Purpose and character strengths of Capacity to Love and Gratitude are found to be direct predictors of Life Satisfaction. Despite its other limitations, this study lays the groundwork for future studies using more robust sampling strategies and greater participation from the major ethnic groups in Singapore.

A meta-analysis of gender differences in character strengths and age, nation, and measure as moderators

“…They are positive traits that define six moral virtues, namely wisdom and knowledge, courage, humanity, justice, temperance, and transcendence (see Table S1 in the supplementary material for an overview of the 24 character strengths and their assignment to the six virtues). Character strengths relate to a wide range of positive outcomes, such as life satisfaction, positive emotions, and orientations to happiness (e.g., Brdar, Anić, & Rijavec, 2011;Gradisek, 2012;Güsewell, & Ruch, 2012;Lee, Foo, Adams, Morgan, & Frewen, 2015;Peterson, Ruch, Beermann, Park, & Seligman, 2007;Ruch et al, 2010;Weber & Ruch, 2012a). Additionally, strength-based positive psychology interventions were shown to enhance life satisfaction and happiness and to reduce depressive symptoms (e.g., Gander, Proyer, Ruch, & Wyss, 2013;Proctor et al, 2011;Proyer, Gander, Wellenzohn, & Ruch, 2015;Proyer, Ruch, & Buschor, 2013b;Seligman, Steen, Park, & Peterson, 2005).…”

Character strengths and virtues in the Greek cultural context

“…According to various researchers, character strengths are associated with a broad range of positive outcomes, such as life satisfaction, positive emotions, and orientations to happiness (e.g. Brdar et al, 2011;Gradisek, 2012;Güsewell & Ruch, 2012;Lee et al, 2015;Peterson et al, 2007;Weber & Ruch, 2012). More analytically, a recent study conducted by Wagner, Gander, Proyer, and Ruch (2019) explored the relationship between character strengths and the multidimensional nature of wellbeing using the PERMA model (Seligman, 2011).…”

See you at the match: Motivation for sport consumption and intrinsic psychological reward of premier football league spectators in South Africa

“…These authors describe this character strength as the inherent willingness to acquire new knowledge and attribute it as an important element of personal resourcefulness and well-being as applied within a given context (Peterson & Seligman, 2004). This psychological strength is a strong predictor of life satisfaction and the presence of meaning as components of intrinsic psychological reward (Lee, Foo, Adams, Morgan & Frewen, 2015).…”

“…It has been argued that this character strength is regularly manifested in physical bodily reactions to the emotion of being in awe, such as experiencing goosebumps or shedding a tear in appreciation of something with high aesthetic value. These physical experiences are indicative of deeply rewarding internal emotive states pertaining to the presence of meaning and life satisfaction (Lee et al, 2015;Peterson & Seligman, 2003;Peterson & Seligman, 2004).…”