Character strengths and well-being

Establishing a measurement model and exploring the interrelations among youth in Uganda

Bibliographic Data

ID21511378
AuthorsJonathan M Tirrell (0000-0002-4825-0207, Tufts University, corresponding author), Natasha Keces (0000-0003-2604-889X, Tufts University), Roya Abbasi‐Asl (0000-0003-1186-5424, Tufts University), Elizabeth M Dowling (0000-0001-9699-3278, Tufts University), Alexa Hasse (Tufts University), Margaret Mackin (0000-0003-3174-6158, Tufts University), Kirsten Olander (0000-0002-7378-9837, Tufts University), Kiana Douglas (Compassion International), Patience Kibbedi (Compass (United States)), Patience N Kibbedi (Compassion International), Jane Wanyama (Compass (United States)), Jane R Wanyama (Compassion International), Jacqueline V Lerner (0000-0003-4637-8538, Boston College), Alistair T R Sim (Compassion International), Richard M Lerner (0000-0002-9426-9048, Tufts University)
Year2025
Volume54
Issue4
Pages632-663
Publication date2025-10-02
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Moral Education (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0305-7240 • E-ISSN: 1465-3877
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/03057240.2025.2484038
OpenAlexW4410210774
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited102

Youth development programs in the majority world are increasingly taking a strengths-based, positive youth development (PYD) approach to promoting youth thriving. Although character strengths are believed to support well-being, more evidence from majority-world contexts is needed. Using data derived from the Compassion International Study of PYD in Uganda (n = 606, Mage = 12.5 years, SDage = 2.3, 50.2% female), we validated a measurement model of eight specific character strengths—goal selection, optimization, and compensation; hopeful future expectations; transcendence; contribution/generosity; forgiveness; love; gratitude; and purpose—and assessed their relations to well-being. Character strengths were robustly and positively correlated with well-being, with gratitude, love, and hopeful future expectations consistently demonstrating the strongest correlations with well-being. Both consistency and differences in interrelations emerged across subgroups. These findings provide initial evidence of an ecologically valid and psychometrically strong measurement model that can be used in majority-world countries for assessing character strengths and their relation to well-being and thriving in PYD programs

Sociology · Values Education · Poverty, Education, and Child Welfare · Psychology · Resilience and Mental Health · Social Psychology · Youth Development and Social Support

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