Character strengths as protective factors against depression and suicidality among male and female employees

Creating a resilient pedagogy: Character strengths intervention for aspiring educators

Teachers play a crucial role in guiding learners through life's challenges. They face educational and socio-economic shifts while striving to teach for a better future. Our study focuses on equipping future teachers, called pre-service teachers, with resilience-building resources during their teacher training program. A potential antecedent to resilience, which facilitates cognitive strategies and attentional processes, is cognitive flexibility. We first tested whether cognitive flexibility predicts resilience. Next, relying on the tenets of positive psychology, which studies resilience, we developed and tested the effectiveness of character strengths intervention in enhancing pre-service teachers' resilience and cognitive flexibility. An individual's belief in their ability to change personal resources could influence how an intervention manifests. Hence, we studied how mindset impacts the intervention's effect on cognitive flexibility and, thus, resilience. We adopted a multi-method approach, guided by Polk's theory of resilience, to test out objectives. Using a cross-sectional design, study one (n = 273) found that cognitive flexibility significantly predicted resilience. Study two (N = 193; nexp = 133, ncont = 60) was a multi-site field experiment. We found that intervention significantly enhanced resilience (experimental group M = 29.62, control group M = 28.33) and cognitive flexibility (experimental group M = 54.42, control group M = 52.01). Further, a growth mindset, was found to moderate the indirect effect of character strengths intervention on resilience via cognitive flexibility. The study contributes to theoretical and practical advancements in resilience. Taken together, the findings highlight the cognitive-affective-behavioural makeup of resilience and, importantly, the role of cognitive flexibility. The intervention can be seamlessly integrated into teacher training curricula for a resilient future.

Machine learning models for predicting depression in Korean young employees

Background

The incidence of depression among employees has gradually risen. Previous studies have focused on predicting the risk of depression, but most studies were conducted using basic statistical methods. This study used machine learning algorithms to build models that detect and identify the important factors associated with depression in the workplace.

Methods

A total of 503 employees completed an online survey that included questionnaires on general characteristics, physical health, job-related factors, psychosocial protective, and risk factors in the workplace. The dataset contained 27 predictor variables and one dependent variable which referred to the status of employees (normal or at the risk of depression). The prediction accuracy of three machine learning models using sparse logistic regression, support vector machine, and random forest was compared with the accuracy, precision, sensitivity, specificity, and AUC. Additionally, the important factors identified via sparse logistic regression and random forest.

Results

All machine learning models demonstrated similar results, with the lowest accuracy obtained from sparse logistic regression and support vector machine (86.8%) and the highest accuracy from random forest (88.7%). The important factors identified in this study were gender, physical health, job, psychosocial protective factors, and psychosocial risk and protective factors in the workplace.

Discussion

The results of this study indicated the potential of machine learning models to accurately predict the risk of depression among employees. The identified factors that influence the risk of depression can contribute to the development of intelligent mental healthcare systems that can detect early signs of depressive symptoms in the workplace.

Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic upon Chinese Positive Traits

Will Chinese people change in terms of their character strengths when disasters strike? As far as the most recent COVID-19 pandemic is concerned, we provide an explorative answer from the impacts of positive traits included in the Values in Action Classification of Strengths upon Chinese people. We conducted a large-scale online survey from 1 January 2019 to 13 February 2020, with 12,878 respondents nationwide, covering all the administrative regions in China and all age intervals. The changes in the 24 character strengths before and during the pandemic were compared. Results revealed a significant increase in teamwork triggered by the pandemic among Chinese people. Fine-grained differences in demographic variables were also examined. Results showed that the COVID-19 pandemic significantly boosted teamwork for both males and females. Concerning age differences, only younger adults (18-25-year-old) showed a significant increase in teamwork. Besides this, it was also discovered that females always performed a higher teamwork tendency than males, and the elderly higher than the younger, regardless of the pandemic.

Character virtues prospectively predict responses to situational stressors in daily life in clinical and subclinical samples

BACKGROUND

Character strengths and virtues may shape responses to stressors and risk for anxious and depressive distress. However, most studies have relied on cross-sectional designs, and it remains unclear whether virtues directly predict distress in daily life or buffer context-specific stressors. We tested whether higher-order intellectual (inquisitiveness), intrapersonal (self-control), and interpersonal virtues (caring) prospectively predicted coping responses and lower symptoms, and moderated effects of specific stressors on distress.

METHODS

Treatment-seeking individuals diagnosed with anxiety/depression (N = 81; Study 1) and students (N = 112; Study 2) completed the VIA Inventory of Strengths survey at baseline, then experience-sampling of daily symptoms and situational responses (perceptions and/or coping strategies) over seven days (Study 1) or five weeks (Study 2).

RESULTS

Multilevel models generally linked virtues to more adaptive daily responses during individuals' worst and best daily events (Study 1) and worst events (Study 2), but inquisitiveness unexpectedly predicted higher symptoms in both studies. Additionally, virtues buffered against the within-person effects of specific stressor perceptions on distress (Study 2).

CONCLUSIONS

The relevance of character virtues for anxiety, stress, and coping may be complex, predicting higher or lower symptoms depending on both the virtue and the situational context.

Effects of Character Strength-Based Intervention vs Group Counseling on Post-Traumatic Growth, Well-Being, and Depression Among University Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Guangdong, China: A Non-Inferiority Trial

Purpose

This study assessed the effects of character strengths-based invention (CSI) vs group counseling (GC) on mental health outcomes (ie, post-traumatic growth, well-being, and depression) among university students in Guangdong Province, China.

Materials and Methods

We conducted a randomized non-inferiority trial among 124 undergraduates at a medical university during the COVID-19 pandemic. We randomly allocated students to receive either CSI (n=62) or GC (n=62). A qualified psychologist delivered both activities on campus during two consecutive weekends with a total of 7.5 hours and also gave assignments to students during weekdays. We measured the outcomes at pre-intervention, post-intervention, and 1-month follow-up. We then analyzed data using descriptive statistics and a general linear mixed model.

Results

CSI and GC groups had similar baseline characteristics. Both CSI and GC experienced an increase in post-traumatic growth and well-being. The mean±SD scores for post-traumatic growth were significantly higher in CSI compared to GC groups (87.70±14.22 vs 78.15±20.72, respectively), whereas well-being scores were similar between CSI and GC (82.58±16.57 vs 83.68±15.59, respectively). Neither CSI nor GC experienced a reduction in depression scores.

Conclusion

CSI had non-inferior effects compared to GC with regards to improvement of post-traumatic growth and well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, caveats regarding lack of blinding of investigator and limited generalizability should be considered in the interpretation of the study findings.

The recording of personality strengths: An analysis of the impact of positive personality features on the long-term outcome of common mental disorders

Although personality strengths are assessed frequently in occupational and managerial settings and in children, they have been less used in studies of personality disorder. The aim of this study is to examine the impact of a measure of personality strengths derived from the comprehensive version of the Personality Assessment Schedule (CPAS) (i.e., positive and reinforcing traits) on clinical symptoms and functioning. Eighty-nine patients with anxiety and depression seen at the 30-year follow-up point in a cohort study (Nottingham Study of Neurotic Disorder) were administered the Comprehensive version of the PAS (CPAS). A factor analysis of the results determined the main groupings and their impact on long-term outcomes as well as their association with change of outcomes over 30 years. Five positive factors (strengths), forceful considerateness, emotional toughness, cautiousness, independence and discernment accounted for 67.2% of the variance using both Varimax and Promax rotations. Low positive scores were strongly associated with suicide attempts, moderate/severe personality disorder, cothymia (mixed anxiety-depression), greater symptomatology and poor social function. High scores were protective of serious pathology and particularly effective in inhibiting suicidal behaviour. The promotion of personality strengths may be of value in preventing suicidal behaviour and helping pro-social change in those with personality disturbance.

Adaptation and Preliminary Validation of a Positive Psychology Assessment Tool: Character Strengths Semantic Differential Scale

Character strengths are a protective factor against psychological symptoms. However, there is a lack of research that has investigated the psychometric properties of abbreviated character strengths scales. The purpose of this study was to adapt and validate the Character Strengths Semantic Differential Scale (CS-SDS) with a sample of 235 college students. Using the back-translation method, the CS-SDS was translated from English into Turkish and then adapted. Next, exploratory factor analysis was conducted to determine the factorial structure of the Turkish version of CS-SDS (T-CS-SDS). The results indicated that the T-CS-SDS had a four-factor structure, namely, leadership, humanity, wisdom, and vitality. Significant moderate correlations were found for the character strengths factors with perceived stress, depression, and life satisfaction. Cronbach’s alpha coefficients for the factors were above .70. This is the first study that supported the use of the T-CS-SDS as a positive psychology assessment tool to design and implement innovative interventions to increase the well-being of college students.

Contribution of Character Strengths to Psychology Stress, Sleep Quality, and Subjective Health Status in a Sample of Chinese Nurses

Objectives: The main objectives of this study were to describe the current state of character strengths (CSs) of nurses; explain how they affect stress, sleep quality, and subjective health status; and reveal the mediating role of stress for the subject matter on the association between CSs, sleep quality, and subjective health status.

Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted from September to October 2020 in China. A multistage stratified sampling method was used, and 1,221 valid questionnaires across 100 cities in 31 provinces were collected.

Results: For the participants in this survey, the three dimensions of CSs ranging from high to low were caring (4.20 ± 0.640), self-control (3.53 ± 0.763), and inquisitiveness (3.37 ± 0.787). There was difference in CSs scores across age (F = 8.171, P < 0.01), professional categories (F = 5.545, P < 0.01), and job tenure (F = 9.470, P < 0.01). The results showed that CSs significantly affected the psychological stress (β = −0.365, P< 0.01), sleep quality (β = 0.312, P< 0.01), and subjective health (β = 0.398, P< 0.01) of nurses. Moreover, psychological stress partially mediated the association between CSs and both types of health outcomes.

Conclusion: In China, the CSs of nurses are at high levels. We find that nurses with high-level CSs are likely to experience less psychological stress and exhibit healthy psycho–physiological responses, which contribute to positive health outcomes. Finally, our study argues that strength-based interventions of positive psychology in hospitals should be provided to minimize threats to the physical and psychological health of health professionals, which is a beneficial choice for future hospital reforms in the domain of occupational health management.

Migrant domestic workers' character strengths and the role of work-related factors: A strengths-based perspective

Most studies on migrant domestic workers (MDW) focus on their problems and vulnerabilities, whereas not much is known about their positive attributes and character strengths. Hence, this study intends to deviate from the usual deficit-based view of MDW, which portrays them as victims, to a strengths-based perspective, which highlights their character strengths. In this study, we examined MDW's character strengths (i.e. positive human attributes that contribute to the thriving of oneself and others) and work-related factors associated with it. The participants of the study were 631 Filipino female MDW in Hong Kong. We examined how work-related factors (employer support and working conditions) predicted different character strength domains (courage, humanity, justice, moderation, transcendence and wisdom) through strengths use. Results of structural equation modelling revealed that employer support consistently predicted all six domains of character strengths through increased strengths use. These findings highlight the important role of employer support on MDW's character strengths. More importantly, it can raise critical awareness on MDW's strengths and well-being, and provide a platform for future strengths-based programmes and policies.

Perceived stress of the COVID-19 pandemic and adolescents' depression symptoms: The moderating role of character strengths

The outbreak of COVID-19 could increase adolescents' psychological distress and have a detrimental effect on their mental health. However, the negative effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on adolescents' mental health might be moderated by their existing psychological resources. The present study sought to investigate whether the relationship between adolescents' perceived stress of the COVID-19 pandemic and their depression symptoms was alleviated by their character strengths. A total of 617 adolescents were recruited and completed the online survey during the COVID-19 pandemic. The results indicated that adolescents' perceived stress of the COVID-19 pandemic was significantly positively correlated with their depression symptoms. Character strengths were significantly negatively correlated with adolescents' perceived stress of the COVID-19 pandemic and their depression symptoms. Moreover, the moderating effect of character strengths on the relationship between adolescents' perceived stress of the COVID-19 pandemic and their depression symptoms was significant. Therefore, adolescents' character strengths as a protective factor could buffer the effect of perceived stress of the COVID-19 pandemic on their depression symptoms and contribute to maintaining their mental health.

The role of character strengths in predicting gains in informal caregivers of dementia

OBJECTIVES

Although providing care to a person with dementia can have a negative impact, caregivers may also perceive certain benefits and gains through the tasks they perform. Our aim here was to study caregiver gains within the framework of positive psychology, exploring the predictive power of character strengths, while controlling for sociodemographic variables and variables related to the dementia and caring.

METHODS

A sample of 105 main caregivers of people diagnosed with dementia completed a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Gain in Alzheimer care Instrument and the Values in Action Inventory of Strengths. Correlational analysis and hierarchical regression were conducted.

RESULTS

Eighteen character strengths were positively and significantly correlated with gain scores. Regression analysis indicated that level of education was negatively related to gain scores. In addition, hope was the character strength which best predicted the gain score, such that caregivers who scored higher on hope tended to perceive greater benefits from their role.

CONCLUSION

The results suggest that hope may play an important role in relation to the perceived gains of caregiving. Intervention programmes based on positive psychology and aimed at enhancing character strengths, especially hope, could help caregivers to identify the positive aspects of their caring role.

Resilience as a Protective Factor for Suicidal Ideation among Korean Workers

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate resilience as a protective factor for suicidality among Korean workers.

METHODS

Participants were workers from 26 organizations in Korea, aged 18 to 63 years, who completed a self-reported questionnaire comprising items on sociodemographic factors, job stress, resilience, and suicidality. Completed questionnaires were collected from 4,405 persons, with 4,389 valid responses. Hierarchical logistic regression analyses were performed using suicidality as the dependent variable.

RESULTS

Results of the logistic regression analyses indicated that among the sociodemographic factors, older age, being female, and being single were statistically significantly associated with suicidal ideation. A high level of job stress, depressive mood, and anxiety, in addition to a short job duration, were also associated with suicidal ideation. Resilience was a significant protective factor for suicidal ideation after adjusting for all other variables. Older age and high anxiety levels were associated with having a suicide plan among participants with suicidal ideation. The association of resilience with suicide plans and suicide attempts was non-significant.

CONCLUSION

In this study, we found that a high level of resilience was associated with a low incidence of suicidal ideation in Korean workers. Based on these results, we suggest the need to develop and implement interventions to improve resilience in the workplace, thereby protecting workers, especially those with a high level of work stress, from suicidal ideation.

Positive youth development: current perspectives

This review outlines the current perspectives on positive youth development (PYD). Besides presenting the diverse theoretical roots contributing to PYD approaches, this review also introduces several PYD perspectives, including Benson's 40 developmental assets, Lerner's 5Cs and 6Cs conceptions, Catalano's 15 PYD constructs, social-emotional learning (SEL) and the "being" perspective (character and spirituality). A comparison of the different PYD models in terms of theoretical orientation, the role of community, spirituality, character/morality, thriving, "being" versus "doing" and origin is also presented. The review suggests three future research directions, including the development of spirituality and character approaches to PYD, differentiating the role of "being" versus "doing" in PYD and construction of PYD models as well as conducting related research in non-Western contexts.

Resilience as a Protective Factor for Depressive Mood and Anxiety among Korean Employees

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to investigate resilience as a protective factor for depressive mood and anxiety among Korean employees.

METHODS

Participants were employees of eight private and local government organizations in Korea, aged 19 to 65 years. A self-report questionnaire that included items on resilience, job stress, levels of depression and anxiety, and socio-demographic factors, was administered to 1,079 Korean employees, with 1,076 valid responses. We performed hierarchical linear regression analyses with the levels of depression and anxiety scores as dependent variables.

RESULTS

Being women and having a high level of job stress were associated with greater depressive mood and anxiety. In contrast, resilience was negatively related to depressive mood and anxiety, after adjusting for demographic variables and the level of job stress. Among the five factors for resilience, "support" and "hardiness" were protective factors for depressive mood and anxiety after adjusting for demographic variables and the level of job stress.

CONCLUSION

Based on the results of the current study, we suggest that focusing on the resilience of employees, especially on "support" and "hardiness," factors as well as developing and engaging in interventions that increase resilience in the workplace, can protect against depressive mood and anxiety, especially for those with high levels of job stress.