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Strengths Use and Life Satisfaction: A Moderated Mediation Approach

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  • Richard Douglass
  • Ryan Duffy

Abstract

This manuscript examined mediators and moderators that may explain the link between strengths use and life satisfaction with a sample of 224 undergraduate students. A mediation model was tested hypothesizing that self-esteem would partially mediate the strengths use-life satisfaction link. Additionally, a moderated mediation model was tested examining positive affect as a moderator within the hypothesized model. Results suggest that a partial reason strengths use related to life satisfaction was due to an increased level of self-esteem. However, this finding must be taken in light of our mediation analysis being conducted with cross-sectional data, a limitation discussed in further detail. Furthermore, positive affect moderated the self-esteem-life satisfaction link, such that the link was stronger for individuals with low and moderate levels of positive affect. This manuscript addresses a major gap in the positive psychology literature by attempting to examine why strengths use relates to increased life satisfaction. Implications for research are discussed. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2015

Suggested Citation

  • Richard Douglass & Ryan Duffy, 2015. "Strengths Use and Life Satisfaction: A Moderated Mediation Approach," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 16(3), pages 619-632, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jhappi:v:16:y:2015:i:3:p:619-632
    DOI: 10.1007/s10902-014-9525-4
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    5. Michael Busseri & Michael Busseri & Stanley Sadava & Nancy DeCourville, 2007. "A Hybrid Model for Research on Subjective Well-being: Examining Common- and Component-specific Sources of Variance in Life Satisfaction, Positive Affect, and Negative Affect," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 83(3), pages 413-445, September.
    6. Keiko Otake & Satoshi Shimai & Junko Tanaka-Matsumi & Kanako Otsui & Barbara Fredrickson, 2006. "Happy People Become Happier through Kindness: A Counting Kindnesses Intervention," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 7(3), pages 361-375, September.
    7. Mohsen Joshanloo & Samaneh Afshari, 2011. "Big Five Personality Traits and Self-Esteem as Predictors of Life Satisfaction in Iranian Muslim University Students," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 12(1), pages 105-113, March.
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    Cited by:

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    2. D.D Lokuge & I.K.J.P Kumara & K.R Ambepitiya, 2024. "Effects of Career Adaptability, Work Volition on the Perceived Life Satisfaction and Moderating Role of Gender of Undergraduates in State Universities, Sri Lanka," International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), vol. 8(1), pages 1959-1973, January.
    3. Paula Yépez-Tito & Marta Ferragut & Shally Cóndor-Guerrón & Maria J. Blanca, 2022. "Life Satisfaction and Character Strenghs in Ecuatorian Adolescents," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 15(2), pages 599-616, April.
    4. Anne Kennes & Johan Lataster & Mayke Janssens & Marianne Simons & Jennifer Reijnders & Nele Jacobs & Sanne Peeters, 2023. "Efficacy of a School-Based Mental Health Intervention Based on Mindfulness and Character Strengths Use Among Adolescents: a Pilot Study of Think Happy-Be Happy Intervention," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 24(2), pages 677-697, February.
    5. Shinichiro Matsuguma & Motoko Kawashima & Kazuno Negishi & Fumiya Sano & Masaru Mimura & Kazuo Tsubota, 2018. "Strengths use as a secret of happiness: Another dimension of visually impaired individuals' psychological state," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(2), pages 1-11, February.
    6. Eleni Petkari & Margarita Ortiz-Tallo, 2018. "Towards Youth Happiness and Mental Health in the United Arab Emirates: The Path of Character Strengths in a Multicultural Population," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 19(2), pages 333-350, February.
    7. Lea E. Waters & Daniel Loton & Hayley K. Jach, 2019. "Does Strength-Based Parenting Predict Academic Achievement? The Mediating Effects of Perseverance and Engagement," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 20(4), pages 1121-1140, April.
    8. María J. Blanca & Marta Ferragut & Margarita Ortiz-Tallo & Rebecca Bendayan, 2018. "Life Satisfaction and Character Strengths in Spanish Early Adolescents," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 19(5), pages 1247-1260, June.
    9. Maria Christina Meyers & Marianne Woerkom, 2017. "Effects of a Strengths Intervention on General and Work-Related Well-Being: The Mediating Role of Positive Affect," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 18(3), pages 671-689, June.

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