Self- and peer-rated character strengths: How do they relate to satisfaction with life and orientations to happiness?

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Self- and peer-rated character strengths: How do they relate to satisfaction with life and orientations to happiness?

This paper addresses the question as to whether previously reported findings on a positive relation between character strengths satisfaction with life and orientations to happiness (OTH) can be replicated for peer ratings of character strengths. A sample of 334 Swiss adults completed questionnaires and collected informant ratings by 634 peers. Selfand peer ratings converged well and suggest that primarily: the strengths of hope zest and curiosity – but also gratitude and love – play key roles in the interplay of strengths and satisfaction with life. Peer ratings of strengths also related positively with the endorsement of a pleasurable engaged and meaningful life. Further analyses show that the OTH predict satisfaction with life beyond self- and peer-rated character strengths. There the engaged life (i.e. endorsement of flow) was most relevant. This study supports earlier findings that argue for an important role of character strengths when describing the well-being of a person.

Citation: 
The Journal of Positive Psychology, Volume 8, Issue 2, 2013, 116-127

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