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Does Being Mindful of Your Character Strengths Enhance Psychological Wellbeing? A Longitudinal Mediation Analysis

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  • Wenjie Duan

    (Wuhan University)

  • Samuel M. Y. Ho

    (City University of Hong Kong)

Abstract

Mindfulness and character strengths significantly contribute to psychological wellbeing in various contexts. Empirical studies further imply that mindfulness-based interventions can cultivate a wide range of strengths, which in turn facilitate the wellbeing of individuals. However, no study has examined this hypothesis. The current study underpins this argument with empirical pieces of evidence from cross-sectional (Study 1) and longitudinal (Study 2) data by investigating the relationship between character strengths, mindfulness, and psychological wellbeing among community (n = 375) and undergraduate populations (n = 229). Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire, Brief Strengths Scale, and Flourishing Scale were administrated. As hypothesized, the results of the cross-sectional investigation confirm that mindfulness and character strengths are conceptually related constructs with significant contributions to psychological wellbeing. Temperance Strength and Interpersonal Strength further mediate the relationship between Observing facet of mindfulness and Flourishing. Furthermore, investigating the relationship among mindfulness, strengths, and psychological wellbeing using Longitudinal Mediation Modeling reveals a clear picture. After the baseline of the outcomes is controlled, the 6-month longitudinal study indicates that the past level of Observing facet of mindfulness can predict the present level of Temperance Strength, which in turn predicts future Flourishing. These results highlight the importance of Observing facet in mindfulness and Temperance Strength, which provide another possible explanation on how and why mindfulness can affect psychological wellbeing among general populations. Future Strength-based Mindfulness Intervention Programs can be developed based on these findings.

Suggested Citation

  • Wenjie Duan & Samuel M. Y. Ho, 2018. "Does Being Mindful of Your Character Strengths Enhance Psychological Wellbeing? A Longitudinal Mediation Analysis," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 19(4), pages 1045-1066, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jhappi:v:19:y:2018:i:4:d:10.1007_s10902-017-9864-z
    DOI: 10.1007/s10902-017-9864-z
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ed Diener & Derrick Wirtz & William Tov & Chu Kim-Prieto & Dong-won Choi & Shigehiro Oishi & Robert Biswas-Diener, 2010. "New Well-being Measures: Short Scales to Assess Flourishing and Positive and Negative Feelings," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 97(2), pages 143-156, June.
    2. Wenjie Duan & Samuel Ho & Xiaoqing Tang & Tingting Li & Yonghong Zhang, 2014. "Character Strength-Based Intervention to Promote Satisfaction with Life in the Chinese University Context," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 15(6), pages 1347-1361, December.
    3. Denise Quinlan & Nicola Swain & Dianne Vella-Brodrick, 2012. "Character Strengths Interventions: Building on What We Know for Improved Outcomes," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 13(6), pages 1145-1163, December.
    4. Katherine A Duggan & Howard S Friedman & Elizabeth A McDevitt & Sara C Mednick, 2014. "Personality and Healthy Sleep: The Importance of Conscientiousness and Neuroticism," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 9(3), pages 1-11, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Champika K. Soysa & Fang Zhang & Maria Parmley & Keith Lahikainen, 2021. "Dispositional Mindfulness and Serenity: Their Unique Relations with Stress and Mental Well-being," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 22(3), pages 1517-1536, March.
    2. Lian, Ling & Guo, Shengzhong & Wang, Qian & Hu, Lihong & Yang, Xueer & Li, Xuejie, 2021. "Calling, character strengths, career identity, and job burnout in young Chinese university teachers: A chain-mediating model," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 120(C).

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