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Character Strengths Use at Work: a Meta-Analysis of Relations with Work Performance and Employee Wellbeing

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Listed:
  • Cort W. Rudolph

    (Wayne State University)

  • Jack C. Friedrich

    (Saint Louis University)

  • Ryszard J. Koziel

    (Saint Louis University)

  • Hannes Zacher

    (Leipzig University)

Abstract

Character strengths, individual differences in positive, morally valued human characteristics, are a core concept in positive psychology and positive organizational behavior. The application of character strengths through “strengths use” at work is associated with a variety of positive outcomes, including higher levels of work performance and employee wellbeing. To address fragmentation in this literature, we conducted a meta-analysis of relations between strengths use and these outcomes. Consistent with pre-registered hypotheses, we find positive associations between strengths use and work performance (ρ = .421) and worker wellbeing (ρ = .621). However, contrary to the premise of “strengths overuse,” we did not find evidence for non-linearity in these associations. We also explore demographic and methodological moderators of these relations and present an accounting of additional relations between strengths use at work and a broader network of more specific performance- and wellbeing-related constructs, associated strengths-use constructs, job characteristics, dispositional and attitudinal constructs, and demographic characteristics.

Suggested Citation

  • Cort W. Rudolph & Jack C. Friedrich & Ryszard J. Koziel & Hannes Zacher, 2025. "Character Strengths Use at Work: a Meta-Analysis of Relations with Work Performance and Employee Wellbeing," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 20(2), pages 753-788, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:ariqol:v:20:y:2025:i:2:d:10.1007_s11482-025-10424-2
    DOI: 10.1007/s11482-025-10424-2
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    References listed on IDEAS

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