The study of character strengths and life satisfaction: A comparison between affective-component and cognitive-component traits

Authors

  • Ana Blasco-Belled University of Lleida
  • Cristina Torrelles-Nadal University of Lleida
  • Agnès Ros-Morente University of Lleida
  • Carles Alsinet

Keywords:

Character strengths, Life satisfaction, Wellbeing, Heart strengths, Mind strengths

Abstract

Character strengths have been found to be predictive of high levels of life satisfaction. The present study attempts to examine the relationship between these constructs but at a fine-grained level. To that end, we used the heart versus mind classification of character strengths (Peterson, 2006), scarcely examined in prior research, to test whether affectivecomponent traits (heart strengths) are more linked to life satisfaction than cognitive-component traits (mind strengths). A sample of 419 undergraduate students completed the measures of character strengths and life satisfaction. Statistical analysis showed that affective-component traits were more predictive of life satisfaction than cognitive-component traits. These findings emphasize the need to devise strength-based interventions aimed at improving life satisfaction, specifically addressing heart character strengths. Implications of these findings for future research are discussed.

Downloads

Published

2019-04-26

Issue

Vol. 48 No. 3 (2018)

Section

Articles

License

Copyright (c) 2019 Anuario de Psicología/The UB Journal of Psychology

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

The authors who publish in this journal agree to the following terms:

Authors transfer to the publisher all copyright for the full term of protection and for all the world.

The authors can post a copy of their articles in accordance with the policy of free access to the journal.