Psychological Development and Education ›› 2011, Vol. 27 ›› Issue (5): 536-542.

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Character Strengths of College Students:The Relationship between Character Strengths and Subjective Well-Being

ZHOU Ya1,2, LIU Xiang-ping1,2   

  1. 1. School of Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875;
    2. Beijing Key Lab of Applied Experimental Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875
  • Online:2011-09-15 Published:2011-09-15

Abstract: Character strengths and subjective well-being are primary concerns of positive psychology.The purpose of this study was to:(1)evaluate the character strengths among Chinese college students;and(2)reveal the relationship between the 24 strengths and well-being.115 participants were recruited to complete the web-based Values in Action Inventory of Strengths,Oxford Happiness Questionnaire,and Satisfaction with Life Scale.The top five "signature strengths" of Chinese college students were love,honesty,gratitude,appreciation of beauty,and kindness.Taking gender into account,men and women share three of the top five "signature strengths" (honesty, gratitude,and appreciation of beauty).The main findings also include:Hope,love,zest,curiosity,citizenship, and social intelligence were substantially associated with happiness.And robustly related with life satisfaction were hope,social intelligence,perspectives,love,and industry.

Key words: positive psychology, character strengths, subjective well-being, Values in Action Inventory of Strengths

CLC Number: 

  • B844.3
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