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Which character strengths may build organizational well-being? Insights from an international sample of workers

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  • Nicole Casali
  • Tommaso Feraco

Abstract

The nature and composition of well-being has been the subject of ongoing debate in the field of positive psychology. Recent discussions identify Seligman’s PERMA dimensions as concrete pathways to achieve subjective well-being, rather than a distinct type of well-being. Four additional “building blocks” have been categorized to define positive functioning at work (PERMA+4). The present study adds another level of inquiry, by newly examining the relationships of character strengths and a general factor or character with PERMA+4 and life satisfaction in a large international sample of 5,487 employees. We found that 21 of the 24 character strengths were significantly (yet only slightly) more strongly correlated with PERMA+4 than with life satisfaction, and that PERMA+4 was consistently related to life satisfaction. The happiness strengths (hope, gratitude, zest, curiosity and love) and the general factor of character were also directly and indirectly related to life satisfaction. Taken together, these results suggest that the PERMA+4 dimensions may help bridge the gap between strengths and well-being, explaining how individuals with good character are also those who report higher life satisfaction. Future longitudinal studies should build on the present findings and examine whether character strengths can act as the “building blocks of the building blocks” of life satisfaction.

Suggested Citation

  • Nicole Casali & Tommaso Feraco, 2024. "Which character strengths may build organizational well-being? Insights from an international sample of workers," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 19(10), pages 1-16, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0312934
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0312934
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Claudia Harzer & Willibald Ruch, 2013. "The Application of Signature Character Strengths and Positive Experiences at Work," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 14(3), pages 965-983, June.
    2. Lisa Wagner & Fabian Gander & René T. Proyer & Willibald Ruch, 2020. "Character Strengths and PERMA: Investigating the Relationships of Character Strengths with a Multidimensional Framework of Well-Being," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 15(2), pages 307-328, April.
    3. Hadassah Littman-Ovadia & Shiri Lavy & Maayan Boiman-Meshita, 2017. "When Theory and Research Collide: Examining Correlates of Signature Strengths Use at Work," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 18(2), pages 527-548, April.
    4. Ryan M. Niemiec, 2020. "Six Functions of Character Strengths for Thriving at Times of Adversity and Opportunity: a Theoretical Perspective," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 15(2), pages 551-572, April.
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