A qualitative study of definitions of adolescents' character strengths in Iran

Authors
Mahsa Jabbari 1
Leili Panaghi 2
Mohammad Ali Mazaheri Mazaheri 3
1 Health and clinical psychology group, Department of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
2 Family health group, Family Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
3 Health and clinical psychology group,Psychology and Educational Sciences faculty, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
10.52547/rph.13.2.64
Abstract


The purpose of this study was to investigate how Iranian experts and adolescents define the 24 character strengths. With this aim in mind, through on purpose method of sampling, semi-structured interviews about definitions of the 24 character strengths were conducted with ten specialists (including psychologists, counselors, and teachers). Furthermore, the opinions of two gender-segregated groups of nine grade students about character strengths’ definitions were discussed in focus groups for girls (N= 7) and for boys (N= 6). Students were selected based on their availability at the time of research and their willingness to take part in discussion groups. Data were analyzed using content analysis and directive approach. Results showed that there was conformity with Peterson and Seligman’s (2004) definitions and Iranian experts-adolescents’ definitions in twelve character strengths and also there were some differences in definitions of other character strengths (e.g., bravery, zest, and honesty). These similarities and differences were discussed. Based on the findings of this research, it can be claimed that there is almost compliance between definitions of the 24 character strengths in Iranian society and the definitions of the character strengths and virtues classification and this classification can be used in research related to this topic.
Keywords
Character Strengths
qualitative research
adolescents
positive psychology
1. Rashid T, Anjum A, Lennox C, Quinlan D, Niemiec RM, Mayerson D, Kazemi F. Assessment of character strengths in children and adolescents. In C., Proctor, P. A., Linley (Eds), Research, applications, and interventions for children and adolescents: A positive psychology perspective. (81-115). New York, NY: Springer. 2013.
2. Karwoski L, Garratt GM, Ilardi SS. On the integration of cognitive behavioral therapy for depression and positive psychology. J Cogn Psychother. 2006; 20(2): 159-170.
3. Peterson C. The Values in Action (VIA) classification of strengths. In M., Csikszentmihalyi, I. S. Csikszentmihalyi (Eds), A life worth living: contributions to positive psychology (pp. 29-48). New York: Oxford University Press. 2006.
4. Peterson C, Seligman MEP. Character strengths and virtues: A handbook and classification. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association. 2004.
5. Hall GS. Adolescence: Its psychology and its relation to physiology, anthropology, sociology, sex, crime, religion, and education. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall. 1904.
6. Newman BM, Newman PR. Development through life: a psychosocial approach. Stamford, CT: Cengage Learning. 2009.
7. Roth JL, Brooks-Gunn J. What exactly is a youth development program? Answers from research and practice. Appl Dev Sci. 2003; 7: 94-111.
8. Park N, Peterson C. Character strengths and happiness among young children: Content analysis of parental descriptions. J Happiness Stud. 2006; 7: 323-341.
9. Park N, Peterson C. Moral competence and character strengths among adolescents: The development and validation of the Values in Action Inventory of Strengths for Youth. J Adolesc. 2006; 29: 891-909.
10. Peterson C, Ruch W, Beermann U, Park N, Seligman MEP. Strengths of character, orientations to happiness, and life satisfaction. J Posit Psychol. 2007; 2(3): 149-156.
11. Ruch W, Weber M, Park N, Peterson C. Character strengths in children and adolescents: Reliability and initial validity of the German Values in Action Inventory of Strengths for Youth (German VIA-Youth). Eur J Psychol Assess. 2014; 30: 57-64.
12. Gillham J, Adams–Deutsch Z, Werner J, Reivich K, Coulter–Heindl V, Linkins M, ... Seligman MEP. Character strengths predict subjective well–being during adolescence. J Posit Psychol. 2011; 6(1): 31-44.
13. Weber M, Ruch W. The role of character strengths in adolescent romantic relationships: An initial study on partner selection and mates’ life satisfaction. J Adolesc. 2012; 35: 1537-1546.
14. Van Eeden C, Wissing MP, Dreyer J, Park, N, Peterson C. Validation of the Values in Action Inventory of Strengths for Youth (VIA-Youth) among South African learners. J Psychol Afr. 2008; 18: 145-156.
15. Benson PL, Leffert N, Scales PC, Blyth DA. Beyond the “village” rhetoric: Creating healthy communities for children and adolescents. Appl Dev Sci. 2012; 16(1): 3-23.
16. Shoshani A, Slone M. Middle school transition from the strengths perspective: Young adolescents’ character strengths, subjective well-Being, and school adjustment. J Happiness Stud. 2012; 14(4): 1163-1181.
17. Park N. Character strengths and positive youth development. Ann Am Acad Pol Soc Sci. 2004; 591: 40-54.
18. Proctor C. The importance of good character. In C., Proctor, P., Linley (Eds), Research, Applications, and Interventions for Children and Adolescents (pp. 13-21). Dordrecht: Springer. 2013.
19. Duan W. The benefits of personal strengths in mental health of stressed students: A longitudinal investigation. Qual Life Res. 2016; 25(11): 2879-2888.
20. Quinlan D, Swain N, Vella-Brodrick DA. Character strengths interventions: Building on what we know for improved outcomes. J Happiness Stud. 2011; 13(6): 1145-1163.
21. Henrich J, Heine SJ, Norenzayan A. The weirdest people in the world? J Behav Brain Sci. 2010; 33: 61-83.
22. Hutchinson AK, Stuart AD, Pretorius HG. The Relationships between temperament, character strengths, and resilience. The Human Pursuit of Well-Being. 2011; 133-144.
23. Magyar-Moe JL. Infusing multiculturalism and positive psychology in psychotherapy. In J. T., Pedrotti, M. L., Edwards (Eds), Perspectives on the intersection of multiculturalism and positive psychology. (pp. 235-249). Dordrecht: Springer. 2014.
24. Capielo C, Mann L, Nevels B, Delgado-Romero E. Multicultural considerations in measurement and classification of positive psychology. In J. T., Pedrotti, M. L., Edwards (Eds), Perspectives on the intersection of multiculturalism and positive psychology. (pp. 31-44). Dordrecht: Springer. 2014.
25. Plessis GA, Saccaggi CF, Bruin GP. Cross-cultural differences in the character strength of citizenship in South Africa. Psychol Soc. 2015; 48: 22-44.
26. Braun V, Clarke V. Using thematic analysis in psychology, Qual Res Psychol. 2006; 3(2): 77-101.
27. Downe-Wamboldt B. Content analysis: Method, applications, and issues. Health Care Women Int. 1992; 13: 313-321.
28. Hsieh H-F, Shannon SE. Three approaches to qualitative content analysis. Qual Health Res. 2005; 15(9): 1277-1288.
29. Weber RP. Basic Content Analysis. Newbury Park, California: Sage Publications. 1990.
30. Biswas-Diener RJ. From the Equator to the North Pole: A Study of Character Strengths. J Happiness Stud. 2006; 7(3): 293-310.
31. Delkhamoush M, Mobarakeh, M. Content and structure of values among Iranian adolescents. Journal of Developmental Psychology: Iranian psychologist. 2011; 8(29): 5-25. [Persian].
32. Rashid T. The role of positive psychology in maximizing human potential. Presentation at the Diversity Roundtable. 2012; Torento.
33. Niemiec RM. Character strengths interventions: A field guide for practitioners. Canada: Hogrefe Publishing. 2018.
34. Lomas T. Towards a positive cross-cultural lexicography: Enriching our emotional landscape through 216 ‘untranslatable’ words pertaining to well-being. J Posit Psychol. 2016; 11(5): 546-558.
35. Farahani MN, Khanipour H. The influence of culture on the experience of affects, stress,personality traits, and mental health: Findings from cross-cultural studies. Journal of research in psychological health. 2018; 12(3):1-18. [Persian]