Character Strengths as Predictors of Mental Health and Well-Being During the Covid-19 Pandemic
A 13-Month Longitudinal Study
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 15465683 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Maria Luisa Martinez-Martí (Camilo José Cela University, corresponding author), Maria Luisa Martínez‐Martí (0000-0002-6948-8484, Camilo José Cela University), Cecilia Theirs (0000-0001-7829-8466, Camilo José Cela University), David Christian Pascual (Camilo José Cela University), David Pascual (0000-0002-7032-9712, Camilo José Cela University), Sergio Villar (0000-0002-7217-3088, Camilo José Cela University) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Volume | 23 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Pages | 74-74 |
| Publication date | 2026-01-04 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601 |
| Publisher | Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH) |
| DOI | 10.3390/ijerph23010074 |
| PMID | 41595868 |
| OpenAlex | W7118162857 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 26 |
The COVID-19 pandemic has posed significant challenges to mental health worldwide, raising the need to identify stable psychological resources that promote sustainable well-being. This longitudinal study examined whether character strengths predict well-being, post-traumatic growth, and mental health over a 13-month period. Participants (N = 146) completed online measures of character strengths, mental health, life satisfaction, affect, and post-traumatic growth at two time points. First, we tested whether a single general factor of character predicted later mental health and whether life satisfaction, affect, and post-traumatic growth mediated this relationship. Then, we repeated this model but with five different character strengths factors as predictors. Results showed that character predicted all mediators and mental health over time, but only the affective components of well-being mediated the relationship between character and mental health, especially positive affect. When looking at the five character strengths factors, although the majority predicted higher well-being and better mental health over time, goodness and interpersonal and fortitude strengths yielded the strongest effects. These findings suggest that character strengths contribute to sustainable well-being by fostering affective resilience in the face of adversity, aligning with the goals of Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being)
Character (mathematics · Face (sociological concept · Interpersonal relationship · Longitudinal study · Mental health · Positive psychology · Psychological resilience · Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions · Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction · Resilience and Mental Health
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| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |