Testing the Effectiveness of a Strengths-Based Intervention Targeting All 24 Strengths: Results From a Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

This study assessed the effectiveness of a strengths-based randomized controlled trial focused on fostering all 24 character strengths in a group of 75 participants from a University in Tunisia. Participants randomly assigned to the challenge condition (n = 40) received an email each day for 24 days, that highlighted a particular strength of the day including why the strength is valuable, how to implement the strength behaviourally, and a motto related to that strength. Those in the control condition (n = 35) simply received emails containing the motto for each strength daily for 24 days. We assessed all participants’ levels of happiness before the experiment (T0), the day following the experiment (T1), and one-month following the experiment (T2). Results from a 2 (group) X 3 (time) split plot ANOVA revealed a significant group-by-time interaction, such that at T2 the experimental group had greater happiness scores than the control group. These findings provide some evidence that even “minimalist” interventions (involving the receipt of emails encouraging character-strength development), might be effective for promoting gains in happiness even one month after the intervention.

The effects of positive psychology interventions in Arab countries: A systematic review

“…Two RCTs (Basurrah et al, 2020; Chérif et al, 2021) examined the effects of character strengths. Chérif et al's (2021) study focused on fostering all 24‐character strengths over 24 days in university students ( n = 75). There was no difference between the two groups on happiness immediately following the intervention.…”

Positive Psychology Interventions as an Opportunity in Arab Countries to Promoting Well-Being

“…Moreover, the results of a recent pilot study found positive impacts on enhancing emotional regulation and reducing stress among Arab teachers (Berkovich-Ohana et al, 2020 ). Some studies have also begun to examine various interventions targeting character strengths (Basurrah et al, 2020 ; Chérif et al, 2021 ), self-compassion (Elaiwah, 2017 ), positive thinking (Haddad, 2014 ; Mohammed et al, 2014 ), and hope (Zaki, 2016 ) among adults and university students. Interestingly, a recent study by Lambert et al ( 2019 ) has examined the impact of PPIs on fear of happiness (a belief that happiness or positive emotions can bring forward negative consequences; Joshanloo, 2013 ) among people from collective countries.…”

A felnőtt magyar lakosság karaktererősségei - Character strengths in Hungary – validation of the short form of the values in action inventory of strengths (via) in a Hungarian sample

“…Az erősségek birtoklása és használata, és az olyan életmód folytatása, amit az erények mint iránytűk vezetnek, a pozitív mentális egészség markerei (Oláh & Kapitány-Fövény, 2012). Aki az erényei szerint él, az boldog és kiegyensúlyozott (Cherif, Wood, & Watier, 2020;Gander, Hofmann, Proyer, & Ruch 2019;Lee és mtsai, 2020;Niemiec & McGrath, 2019). Az eredeti mérőeszköznek (Peterson & Seligman, 2004) már 14 kultúrközi adaptációja elérhető (VIA, 2022).…”