Moral competence and character strengths among adolescents: The development and validation of the Values in Action Inventory of Strengths for Youth

被引:361
作者
Park, Nansook
Peterson, Christopher
机构
[1] Univ Michigan, Dept Psychol, Ann Arbor, MI 48109 USA
[2] Univ Rhode Isl, Dept Psychol, Kingston, RI 02881 USA
关键词
moral competence; character strengths; virtues; children; adolescents; positive psychology;
D O I
10.1016/j.adolescence.2006.04.011
中图分类号
B844 [发展心理学(人类心理学)];
学科分类号
040202 ;
摘要
Moral competence among adolescents can be approached in terms of good character. Character is a multidimensional construct comprised of a family of positive traits manifest in an individual's thoughts, emotions and behaviours. The Values in Action Inventory for Youth (VIA-Youth) is a self-report questionnaire suitable for adolescents that measures 24 widely valued strength of character. Data from several samples bearing on the internal consistency, stability, and validity of the VIA-Youth are described, along with what is known about the prevalence and demographic correlates of the character strengths it measures. Exploratory factor analysis revealed an interpretable four-factor structure of the VIA-Youth subscales: temperance strengths (e.g., prudence, self-regulation), intellectual strengths (e.g., love of learning, curiosity), theological strengths (e.g., hope, religiousness, love), and other-directed (interpersonal) strengths (e.g., kindness, modesty). The uses of the VIA-Youth in research and practise are discussed along with directions for future research. (c) 2006 The Association for Professionals in Services for Adolescents. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
引用
收藏
页码:891 / 909
页数:19
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