이 연구의 목적은 연령집단별 성격강점의 양상을 체계적으로 밝히고 정신건강 증진에 기여할 수 있는 강점을 경험적으로 확인하는 것이었다. 또한 다른 나라와의 비교를 통해 한국 성인의 핵심 강점을 발견하고자 하였다. 분석 결과, 연령집단별 성격강점 순위점수 간 상관계수가 중간 수준 이상으로 높게 나타나, 전반적으로 연령집단 간 성격강점의 유사성이 시사되었다. 전 연령대에 걸쳐 사랑, 낙관성, 감사는 상위 5개 대표강점에 해당되었으며, 학구열은 하위 5개 강점에 공통적으로 포함되었다. 연령집단 간 편차가 가장 큰 성격강점은 진실성과 호기심이었는데, 연령이 높을수록 순위가 상승하는 경향이 관찰된 진실성은 장년집단에서 1위에 위치하였고, 순위가 하락하는 경향이 나타난 호기심은 중년집단과 장년집단에서 하위 5개 강점에 해당되었다. 한국 성인의 강점 순위자료를 다른 나라와 비교한 결과, 동아시아 국가들과 유의한 상관을 보인 반면 유럽 국가들과의 상관은 가장 작은 것으로 관찰되었다. 사랑, 감사, 친절성, 진실성, 공정성은 다른 나라 성인과 공통적으로 상위 강점에 포함된 한편, 낙관성은 한국 성인에서만 상위 5개 대표강점에 해당되었다. 낙관성과 감사는 전 연령대에서 높은 행복 수준 및 낮은 우울 수준과 가장 밀접히 관련되었다. 마지막으로 이 연구의 한계점과 후속 연구를 위한 제언 및 시사점을 논의하였다.
The purpose of this study was to systematically clarify the profile of character strengths by age groups and to empirically identify the strengths that can contribute to mental health. Also, the author identified Korean adults' key strengths by comparisons with those in other countries. In this study, it was suggested that the profiles of character strengths by age groups were generally similar, because the correlations between ipsative scores of character strengths were statistically significant over moderate levels. In all age groups, love, optimism, and gratitude were in the top five, and love of learning was in the bottom five. The character strengths with the largest deviation by age groups were authenticity and curiosity. Authenticity that increased with age ranked first in the late-middle-age group. Curiosity that decreased with age was in the bottom five in the middle-age and the late-middle-age group. The character strengths of Korean adults were most similar to those of East Asian countries, whereas the similarities with European countries were the least similar. While love, gratitude, kindness, authenticity, and fairness were the top five in Korea as in other countries, optimism is in the top five only in Korea. In all age groups, optimism and gratitude were significantly associated with the high level of satisfaction(or happiness) and the low level of depression. Finally this study's limitations and the suggestions for further research are discussed.
권석만, 김지영, 하승수 (2012). 성격강점검사 청소년용-전문가 지침서. 서울: 학지사 심리검사연구소.
권석만, 유성진, 임영진, 김지영 (2010). 성격강점검사-전문가 지침서. 서울: 학지사 심리검사연구소.
김지영 (2014). 대학생의 성격강점비교: 인구통계학적변인 및 만족도를 중심으로. 미래사회, 5(1), 79-95.
김지영 (2015). 강점개입이 정신건강에 미치는 효과. 한국심리학회지: 건강, 20(3), 498-513.
김지영 (2016). 성격강점과 행복의 관계: 초․중․고등학생의 비교를 중심으로. 한국심리학회지: 건강, 21(4), 845-859.
임영진 (2010). 성격강점과 긍정심리치료가 행복에 미치는 영향. 서울대학교 박사학위 청구논문.
임영진 (2012). 성격강점과 정신적 웰빙의 관계. 한국심리학회지: 임상, 31(3), 713-730.
전겸구, 최상진, 양병창 (2001). 통합적 한국판 CES-D 개발. 한국심리학회지: 건강, 6, 59-76.
조명한, 차경호 (1998). 삶의 질에 대한 국가 간 비교. 서울: 집문당.
최하예, 황성수 (2018). 우리나라 청년정책의 정책수단유형분석 연구: 지방정부의 정책과제 단위사업을중심으로. 한국정책과학학회보, 22(3), 75-99.
Ardelt, M., Landes, S. D., Gerlach, K. R., & Fox, L. P. (2013). Rediscovering internal strengths of the aged: The beneficial impact of wisdom, mastery, purpose in life, and spirituality on aging well. In J. D. Sinnott (Ed.), Positive Psychology:Advances in understanding adult motivation (pp. 97-119). New York: Springer.
Biswas-Diener, R. (2006). From the equator to the north pole: A study of character strengths. Journal of Happiness Studies, 7(3), 293-310.
Blanca, M. J., Ferragut, M., Ortiz-Tallo, M., & Bendayan, R. (2018). Life satisfaction and character strengths in Spanish early adolescents. Journal of Happiness Studies, 19(5), 1247-1260.
Bok, S. (1995). Common values. Columbia, MO:University of Missouri Press.
Branje, S. J., van Lieshout, C. F. M., & Gerris, J. R. M. (2007). Big five personality development in adolescence and adulthood. European Journal of Personality, 21(1), 45-62.
Brdar, I., & Kashdan, T. B. (2010). Character strengths and well-being in Croatia: an empirical investigation of structure and correlates. Journal of Research in Personality, 44(1), 151-154.
Bromley, E., Johnson, J. G., & Cohen, P. (2006). Personality strengths in adolescence and decreased risk of developing mental health problems in early adulthood. Comprehensive Psychiatry, 47(4), 315-324.
Cacioppo, J. T., Petty, R. E., Feinstein, J. A., & Jarvis, W. B. G. (1996). Dispositional differences in cognitive motivation: The life and times of individuals varying in need for cognition. Psychological Bulletin, 119(2), 197-253.
Cantor, N., & Kihlstrom, L. (1987). Personality and social intelligence. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall.
Ciarrochi, J., Parker, P., & Kashdan, T. B. (2015). Hope and emotional well-being: A six-year study to distinguish antecedents, correlates, and consequences. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 10(6), 520-532.
Dahlsgaard, K., Peterson, C., & Seligman, M. E. P. (2005). Shared virtue: The convergence of valued human strengths across culture and history. Review of General Psychology, 9(3), 203-213.
De Fruyt, F., Bartels, M., Van Leeuwen, K. G., De Clercq, B., Devuyper, M., & Mervielde, I. (2006). Five types of personality continuity in childhood and adolescence. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 90(3), 538-552.
Diener, E., Emmons, R. A., Larsen, R. J., & Griffin, S. (1985). The satisfaction with life scale. Journal of Personality Assessment, 49, 71-75.
Diener, E., & Seligman, M. E. P. (2002). Very happy people. Psychological Science, 13(1), 81-84.
Douglass, R. P., & Duffy, R. D. (2015). Strengths use and life satisfaction: A moderated mediation approach. Journal of Happiness Studies, 16(3), 619-632.
Furman, W., & Buhrmester, D. (1992). Age and sex differences in perceptions of networks of personal relationships. Child Development, 63(1), 103-115.
Ghielen, S. T. S., Woerkom, M., & Meyers, M. C. (2018). Promoting positive outcomes through strengths interventions: A literature review. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 13(6), 573-585.
Giambra, L. M., Camp, C. J., & Grodsky, A. (1992). Curiosity and stimulation seeking across the adult life span: Cross -sectional and 6- to 8-year longitudinal findings.
Gillham, J., Adams-Deutsch, A., Werner, J., Reivich, K., Coulter-Heindl, V., Linkins, M., Winder, B., Peterson, C., Park, N., Abenavoli, R., Contero, A., & Seligman, M. E. P. (2011). Character strengths predict subjective well-being during adolescence. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 6(1), 31-44.
Goldman, B. M., & Kernis, M. H. (2002). The role of authenticity in healthy functioning and subjective well-being. Annuals of the American Psychotherapy Association, 5, 18-20.
Govindji, R., & Linley, A. (2007). Strengths use, self-concordance, and well-being: Implications for strengths coaching and coaching psychologists. International Coaching Psychology Review, 2(2), 143-153.
Harvey, J. H., & Powels, B. G. (2004). Modesty, humility, character strengths, and positive psychology. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 23(5), 620-623.
Hausler, M., Strecker, C., Huber, A., Brenner, M., Höge, T., & Höfer, S. (2017). Distinguishing relational aspects of character strengths with subjective and psychological well-being. Frontiers in Psychology, 8, 1-12.
Heintz, S., Kramm, C., & Ruch, W. (2019). A meta-analysis of gender differences in character strengths and age, nation, and measure as moderators. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 14(1), 103-112.
Isaacowitz, D. M., Vaillant, G. E., Seligman, M. E. P. (2003). Strengths and satisfaction across the adult lifespan. International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 57(2), 181-201.
Jayawickreme, E., Forgeard, M. J. C., & Seligman, M. E. P. (2012). The engine of well-being. Review of General Psychology, 16(4), 327-342.
Klimastra, T. A., Hale Ⅲ, W. W., Raaijmakers, Q. A. W., Branje, S. J. T., & Meeus, W. H. J. (2009). Maturation of personality in adolescence. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 96(4), 898-912.
Krapp, A., & Fink, B. (1992). The development and function of interests during the critical transition from home to preschool. In K. A. Renninger, S. Hidi, & A. Krapp (Eds.), The role of interest in learning and development (pp. 397-429). Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum.
Linley, P. A., Maltby, J., Wood, A. M., Joseph, S., Harrington, S., Peterson, C., Park, N., & Seligman, M. E. P. (2007). Character strengths in the United Kingdom: The VIA inventory of strengths. Personality and Individual Differences, 43(2), 341-351.
Linley, P. A., Nielsen, K. M., Gillett, R., & Biswas-Diener, R. (2010). Using signature strengths in pursuit of goals: Effects on goal progress, need satisfaction, and well-being, and implications for coaching psychologists. International Coaching Psychology Review, 5(1), 6-15.
Littman-Ovadia, H., & Lavy, S. (2012). Character strengths in Israel: hebrew adaptation of the VIA inventory of strengths. European Journal of Psychological Assessment, 28, 41-50.
Littman-Ovadia, H., Lavy, S., & Boiman-Meshita, M. (2017). When theory and research collide:Examining correlates of signature strengths use at work. Journal of Happiness Studies, 18(2), 527-548.
Lopez, S. J., & Snyder, C. R. (2003). Positive psychological assessment: A handbook of models and measures. APA.
Lounsbury, J. W., Fisher, L. A., Levy, J. J., & Welsh, D. P. (2009). An investigation of character strengths in relation to academic success of college students. Individual Differences Research, 7(1), 52-69.
Margelisch, K. (2017). Character strengths, their valuing and their association with well-being in middle and older age. Abschlussarbeit CAS Positive Psychologie, 8, 1-35.
Martinez-Marti, M. L., & Ruch, W. (2014). Character strengths and well-being across the life span:Data from a representative sample of Germanspeaking adults living in Switzerland. Frontiers in Psychology, 5, 1-10.
McGrath, R. E. (2015). Character strengths in 75 nations:An update. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 10(1), 41-52.
Meyers, M. C., & van Woerkom, M. (2017). Effects of a strengths intervention on general and work-related well-being: The mediating role of positive affect. Journal of Happiness Studies, 18(3), 671-689.
Mongrain, M., & Anselmo-Matthews, T. (2012). Do Positive Psychology Exercises Work? A Replication of Seligman et al.(2005). Journal of Clinical Psychology, 68(4), 382-389.
Neto, J., Neto, F., & Furnham, A. (2014). Gender and psychological correlates of self-rated strengths among youth. Social Indicators Research, 118(1), 315-327.
Park, N., & Peterson, C. (2006a). Moral competence and character strengths among adolescents: The development and validation of the Values in Action Inventory of Strengths for Youth. Journal of Adolescence, 29(6), 891-909.
Park, N., & Peterson, C. (2006b). Character strengths and happiness among young children: Content analysis of parental descriptions. Journal of Happiness Studies, 7(3), 323-341.
Park, N., & Peterson, C. (2009). Character strengths:Research and practice. Journal of College and Character, 10(4), 1-10.
Park, N., Peterson, C., & Seligman, M. E. P. (2004a). Strengths of character and well-being. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 23(5), 603-619.
Park, N., Peterson, C., & Seligman, M. E. P. (2004b). Reply strengths of character and well-being: A closer look at hope and modesty. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 23(5), 628-634.
Park, N., Peterson, C., & Seligman, M. E. P. (2006). Character strengths in fifty-four nations and the fifty US states. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 1, 118-129.
Peterson, C. Ruch, W., Beermann, U., Park, N., & Seligman, M. E. P. (2007). Strengths of character, orientations to happiness, and life satisfaction. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 2(3), 149-156.
Peterson, C., & Seligman, M. E. P. (2004). Character strengths and virtues: A handbook and classification. New York: Oxford University Press.
Proctor, C., Maltby, J., & Linley, P. A. (2011). Strengths use as a predictor of well-being and health-related quality of life. Journal of Happiness Studies, 12(1), 153-169.
Proctor, C., Tsukayama, E., Wood, A. M., Maltby, J., Eades, J. F., & Linley, P. A. (2011). Strengths Gym: The impact of a character strengths-based intervention on the life satisfaction and well-being of adolescents. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 6(5), 377-388.
Proyer, R. T., Gander, F., Wellenzohn, S., & Ruch, W. (2013). What good are character strengths beyond subjective well-being?: The contribution of the good character on self-reported health-orientated behavior, physical fitness, and the subjective health status. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 8(3), 222-232.
Quinlan, D., Swain, N., & Vella-Brodrick, D. A. (2012). Character strengths interventions: Building on what we know for improved outcomes. Journal of Happiness Studies, 13(6), 1145-1163.
Radloff. L. S. (1977). The CES-D scale: A self-report depression scale for research in the general population. Applied Psychological measurement, 1, 385-401.
Roberts, B. W., & DelVecchio, W. F. (2000). The rank-order consistency of personality traits from childhood to old age: A quantitative review of longitudinal studies. Psychological Bulletin, 126(1), 3-25.
Ruch, W., Martinez-Marti, M. L., Proyer, R. T., & Harzer, C. (2014). The character strengths rating form (CSRF): Development and initial assessment of a 24-item rating scale to assess character strengths. Personality and Individual Differences, 68, 53-58.
Ruch, W., Proyer, R. T., Harzer, C., Park, N., Peterson, C., & Seligman, M. E. P. (2010). Values in Action inventory of strengths adaptation and validation of the German version and the development of a peer-rating form. Journal of Individual Difference, 31(3), 138-149.
Ryan, R. M., LaGuardia, J. G., & Rawsthorne, L. J. (2005). Self-complexity and the authenticity of self-aspects: Effects on well being and resilience to stressful events. North American Journal of Psychology, 7(3), 431-448.
Salovey, P., & Mayer, J. D. (1990). Emotional intelligence. Imagination, Cognition, and Personality, 9(3), 185-211.
Schutte, N. S., & Malouff, J. M. (2019). The impact of signature character strengths interventions: A meta analysis. Journal of Happiness Studies, 20(4), 1179-1196.
Seligman, M. E. P. (1991). Learned optimism. New York: Knopf.
Seligman, M. E. P., Ernst, R. M., Gillham, J., Reivich, K., & Linkins, M. (2009). Positive education: positive psychology and classroom interventions. Oxford Review of Education, 35(3), 293-311.
Seligman, M. E. P., Rashid, T., & Parks, A. C. (2006). Positive psychotherapy. American Psychologist, 61(8), 774-788.
Seligman, M. E. P., Steen, T. A., Park, N., & Peterson, C. (2005). Positive psychology progress:Empirical validation of interventions. American Psychologist, 60(5), 410-421.
Sheldon, K. M., & Elliot, A. J. (1999). Goal striving, need satisfaction, and longitudinal well-being:The self-concordance model. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 76(3), 482-497.
Shimai, S., Otoke, K., Park, N., Peterson, C., & Seligman, M. E. P. (2006) Convergence of character strengths in American and Japanese young adults. Journal of Happiness Studies, 7, 311-322.
Shoshani, A., & Slone, M. (2013). Middle school transition from the strengths perspective: young adolescents'character strengths, subjective well-being, and school adjustment. Journal of Happiness Studies, 14(4), 1163-1181.
Snyder, C. R. (2002). Hope theory: Rainbows of the mind. Psychological Inquiry, 13(4), 249-275.
Steger, M. F., Hicks, B. M., Kashdan, T. B., Krueger, R. F., & Bouchard Jr, T. J. (2007). Genetic and environmental influences on the positive traits of the values in action classification, and biometric covariance with normal personality. Journal of Research in Personality, 41(3), 524-539.
Tehranchi, A., Doost, H. T. N., Amiri, S., & Power, M. J. (2018). The role of character strengths in depression: A structural equation model. Frontiers in Psychology, 9, 1-11.
Toner, M., Haslam, N., Robinson, J., & Williams, P. (2012). Character strengths and wellbeing in adolescence:Structure and correlates of the Values in Action inventory of strengths for children. Personality and Individual Differences, 52, 637-642.
Valle, M. F., Huebner, E. S., & Suldo, S. M. (2006). An analysis of hope as a psychological strength. Journal of School Psychology, 44(4), 393-406.
Walker, L. J., & Pitts, R. C. (1998). Naturalistic conceptions of moral maturity. Developmental Psychology, 34(3), 403-419.
Walker, L. J., & Richards, B. S. (1979). Stimulating transitions in moral reasoning as function of stage of cognitive development. Developmental Psychology, 15, 95-103.
Weber, M., & Ruch, W. (2012). The role of a good character in 12-year-old school children: Do character strengths matter in the classroom? Child Indicators Research, 5(2), 317-334.
Wood, A. M., Linley, P. A., Maltby, J., Baliousis, M., & Joseph, S. (2008). The authentic personality: A theoretical and empirical conceptualization and the development of the Authenticity Scale. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 55(3), 385-399.
Wood, A. M., Linley, P. A., Maltby, J., Kashdan, T. B., & Hurling, R. (2011). Using personal and psychological strengths leads to increases in well-being over time: A longitudinal study and the development of the strengths use questionnaire. Personality and Individual Differences, 50(1), 15-19.
Zhang, Y., & Chen, M. (2018). Character strengths, strengths use, future self-continuity and subjective well-being among Chinese university students. Frontiers in Psychology, 9, 1-14.