Character Strengths Predict Subjective Well-Being, Psychological Well-Being, and Psychopathological Symptoms, Over and Above Functional Social Support

The increasing value of character strengths in the prediction of well-being and psychopathology, after the effects of functional social support and sociodemographic variables are accounted for, is examined. Participants were 1494 Spanish-speaking students between the ages of 18 and 68 (43.3% men and 56.7% women) who completed measures of character strengths, functional social support, subjective well-being, psychological well-being, and symptoms of psychopathology. Functional social support had predictive value in explaining the variability of each component of well-being and psychopathology. Regarding character strengths, theological strengths had the greatest predictive power for life satisfaction (beta = 0.41), positive affect (beta = 0.49), affect balance (beta = 0.45), purpose in life (beta = 0.60), self-acceptance (beta = 0.50), environmental mastery (beta = 0.47), and positive relations with others (beta = 0.25). Emotional strengths made the strongest contribution to the variance explained (beta = 0.41) of autonomy, and intellectual strengths were the strongest predictive variable for personal growth (beta = 0.39). Strengths of restraint had the greatest predictive power for the global severity index of psychopathology (beta = -0.27). Functional social support and character strengths have strong links to mental health. Positive interventions to develop these variables could contribute to enhance well-being and prevent psychological distress.

Automated summary

The study highlights the importance of character strengths in predicting well-being and mental health, with theological strengths showing the strongest predictive power in several aspects, while strengths of restraint have a significant impact on psychopathology symptoms.