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Testing Strengths-Based Interventions: A Preliminary Study on the Effectiveness of a Program Targeting Curiosity, Gratitude, Hope, Humor, and Zest for Enhancing Life Satisfaction

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  • René Proyer
  • Willibald Ruch
  • Claudia Buschor

Abstract

The study compares the impact of character strengths-based positive interventions in a sample of 178 adults. An experimental group that trained strengths of the Values-in-Action classification that typically correlate highly with life satisfaction (curiosity, gratitude, hope, humor, and zest) was compared in its gain in life satisfaction with a group that trained strengths that usually demonstrate low correlations with life satisfaction (appreciation of beauty and excellence, creativity, kindness, love of learning, and perspective) and a wait-list control group. If pre and post measures in life satisfaction were compared, the group with the strengths most correlated with life satisfaction improved significantly (statistically) in their satisfaction in comparison to a control group. This could be interpreted as support for the idea that primarily those strengths that correlate highly with life satisfaction should be addressed in strengths-based interventions. When asked for subjective ratings of well-being after the interventions concluded, participants in both intervention groups indicated gains above that of a wait-listed control group. Further analyses underscore the special role of self-regulation in facilitating success in the interventions. Overall, the data underline the potential of strength-based interventions for improving human well-being. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2013

Suggested Citation

  • René Proyer & Willibald Ruch & Claudia Buschor, 2013. "Testing Strengths-Based Interventions: A Preliminary Study on the Effectiveness of a Program Targeting Curiosity, Gratitude, Hope, Humor, and Zest for Enhancing Life Satisfaction," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 14(1), pages 275-292, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jhappi:v:14:y:2013:i:1:p:275-292
    DOI: 10.1007/s10902-012-9331-9
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ed Diener, 1994. "Assessing subjective well-being: Progress and opportunities," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 31(2), pages 103-157, February.
    2. Nansook Park & Christopher Peterson, 2006. "Character Strengths and Happiness among Young Children: Content Analysis of Parental Descriptions," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 7(3), pages 323-341, September.
    3. Ed Diener & Christie Napa-Scollon & Shigehiro Oishi & Vivian Dzokoto & Eunkook Suh, 2000. "Positivity and the Construction of Life Satisfaction Judgments: Global Happiness is not the Sum of its Parts," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 1(2), pages 159-176, June.
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    5. Carmel Proctor & John Maltby & P. Linley, 2011. "Strengths Use as a Predictor of Well-Being and Health-Related Quality of Life," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 12(1), pages 153-169, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Doris Baumann & Willibald Ruch & Katja Margelisch & Fabian Gander & Lisa Wagner, 2020. "Character Strengths and Life Satisfaction in Later Life: an Analysis of Different Living Conditions," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 15(2), pages 329-347, April.
    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. Fabian Gander & Jennifer Hofmann & René T. Proyer & Willibald Ruch, 2020. "Character Strengths – Stability, Change, and Relationships with Well-Being Changes," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 15(2), pages 349-367, April.
    4. 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.
    5. Sonja Heintz & Willibald Ruch, 2020. "Character Strengths and Job Satisfaction: Differential Relationships Across Occupational Groups and Adulthood," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 15(2), pages 503-527, April.
    6. Claudia Harzer & Willibald Ruch, 2016. "Your Strengths are Calling: Preliminary Results of a Web-Based Strengths Intervention to Increase Calling," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 17(6), pages 2237-2256, December.
    7. Nicholas J. L. Brown & Julia M. Rohrer, 2020. "Easy as (Happiness) Pie? A Critical Evaluation of a Popular Model of the Determinants of Well-Being," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 21(4), pages 1285-1301, April.
    8. Wenjing Yan & Linting Zhang & Wenjie Li & Feng Kong, 2022. "How is Subjective Family Socioeconomic Status Related to Life Satisfaction in Chinese Adolescents? The Mediating Role of Resilience, Self-Esteem and Hope," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 15(5), pages 1565-1581, October.
    9. Blake Allan, 2015. "Balance Among Character Strengths and Meaning in Life," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 16(5), pages 1247-1261, October.
    10. Wenjie Duan & Bo Qi & Junrong Sheng & Yuhang Wang, 2020. "Latent Character Strength Profile and Grouping Effects," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 147(1), pages 345-359, January.
    11. Fabian Gander & René T. Proyer & Willibald Ruch, 2017. "The Subjective Assessment of Accomplishment and Positive Relationships: Initial Validation and Correlative and Experimental Evidence for Their Association with Well-Being," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 18(3), pages 743-764, June.
    12. Tamar Blanchard & Todd Kerbeykian & Robert E. McGrath, 2020. "Why Are Signature Strengths and Well-Being Related? Tests of Multiple Hypotheses," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 21(6), pages 2095-2114, August.
    13. 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.

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