This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
References
Baer, R. (2015). Ethics, values, virtues, and character strengths in mindfulness-based interventions: a psychological science perspective. Mindfulness, 6(4), 956–969. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-015-0419-2.
Banicki, K. (2014). Positive psychology on character strengths and virtues. A disquieting suggestion. New Ideas in Psychology, 33, 21–34. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.newideapsych.2013.12.001.
Carver, C. S., Scheier, M. F., & Segerstrom, S. C. (2010). Optimism. Clinical Psychology Review, 30, 879–889. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2010.01.006.
DiStefano, C., & Morgan, G. B. (2014). A comparison of diagonal weighted least squares robust estimation techniques for ordinal data. Structural Equation Modeling: A Multidisciplinary Journal, 21(3), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1080/10705511.2014.915373.
Dolcos, S., Hu, Y., Iordan, A. D., Moore, M., & Dolcos, F. (2015). Optimism and the brain: trait optimism mediates the protective role of the orbitofrontal cortex gray matter volume against anxiety. Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience, 11(2), 263–271. https://doi.org/10.1093/scan/nsv106.
Febbraro, G. A., & Clum, G. A. (1998). Meta-analytic investigation of the effectiveness of self-regulatory components in the treatment of adult problem behaviors. Clinical Psychology Review, 18(2), 143–161. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0272-7358(97)00008-1.
Glaesmer, H., Rief, W., Martin, A., Mewes, R., Brähler, E., Zenger, M., & Hinz, A. (2012). Psychometric properties and population-based norms of the Life Orientation Test Revised (LOT-R). British Journal of Health Psychology, 17(2), 432–445. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2044-8287.2011.02046.x.
Gottschling, J., Hahn, E., Maas, H., & Spinath, F. M. (2016). Explaining the relationship between personality and coping with professional demands: where and why do optimism, self-regulation, and self-efficacy matter? Personality and Individual Differences, 100, 49–55. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2016.03.085.
Gustems-Carnicer, J., & Calderón, C. (2016). Virtues and character strengths related to approach coping strategies of college students. Social Psychology of Education, 19(1), 77–95.
Herzberg, P. Y., Glaesmer, H., & Hoyer, J. (2006). Separating optimism and pessimism: a robust psychometric analysis of the revised Life Orientation Test (LOT-R). Psychological Assessment, 18(4), 433–438. https://doi.org/10.1037/1040-3590.18.4.433.
Höfer, S., Gander, F., Höge, T., & Ruch, W. (2019). Character strengths, well-being, and health in educational and vocational settings. Applied Research in Quality of Life, 1–6. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11482-018-9688-y.
Hu, L., & Bentler, P. M. (1999). Cutoff criteria for fit indexes in covariance structure analysis: conventional criteria versus new alternatives. Structural Equation Modeling, 6(1), 1–55. https://doi.org/10.1080/10705519909540118.
Kanfer, F. H., & Karoly, P. (1972). Self-control: a behavioristic excursion into the lion’s den. Behavior Therapy, 3(3), 398–416. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0005-7894(72)80140-0.
MacKinnon, D. P. (2008). Introduction to statistical mediation analysis. New York: Routledge Academic.
Martínez-Martí, M. L., & Ruch, W. (2017). Character strengths predict resilience over and above positive affect, self-efficacy, optimism, social support, self-esteem, and life satisfaction. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 12(2), 110–119. https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2016.1163403.
McGrath, R. E. (2015). Character strengths in 75 nations: an update. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 10(1), 41–52. https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2014.888580.
McLean, C. P., Asnaani, A., Litz, B. T., & Hofmann, S. G. (2011). Gender differences in anxiety disorders: prevalence, course of illness, comorbidity and burden of illness. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 45(8), 1027–1035. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychires.2011.03.006.
Mezo, P. G. (2009). The self-control and self-management scale (SCMS): development of an adaptive self-regulatory coping skills instrument. Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment, 31(2), 83–93. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10862-008-9104-2.
Mezo, P. G., & Short, M. M. (2012). Construct validity and confirmatory factor analysis of the self-control and self-management scale. Canadian Journal of Behavioural Science, 44(1), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0024414.
Mezo, P. G., Callanan, T. S., Radu, G. M., & English, M. M. (2018). Irrational beliefs and self-management as separable predictors of anxiety and depression. Journal of Rational-Emotive & Cognitive-Behavior Therapy, 36(2), 172–186. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10942-017-0280-4.
Niemiec, R. M. (2013). VIA character strengths: research and practice (the first 10 years). In H. H. Knoop & A. Delle Fave (Eds.), Well-being and cultures: perspectives on positive psychology (pp. 11–30). New York: Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-4611-4_2.
Park, N., & Peterson, C. (2009). Character strengths: research and practice. Journal of College and Character, 10(4), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.2202/1940-1639.1042.
Peterson, C., & Seligman, M. E. (2004). Character strengths and virtues: a handbook and classification. New York: Oxford University Press.
Peterson, C., Park, N., & Seligman, M. E. P. (2005). Assessment of character strengths. In G. P. Koocher, J. C. Norcross, & S. S. Hill III (Eds.), Psychologists’ desk reference (2nd ed., pp. 93–98). New York: Oxford University Press.
Ruch, W., & Proyer, R. T. (2015). Mapping strengths into virtues: the relation of the 24 VIA-strengths to six ubiquitous virtues. Frontiers in Psychology, 6(460), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2015.00460.
Scheier, M. F., & Carver, C. S. (1985). Optimism, coping, and health: assessment and implications of generalized outcome expectancies. Health Psychology, 4(3), 219–247.
Scheier, M. F., Carver, C. S., & Bridges, M. W. (1994). Distinguishing optimism from neuroticism (and trait anxiety, self-mastery, and self-esteem): a reevaluation of the Life Orientation Test. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 67(6), 1063–1078. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.67.6.1063.
Spielberger, C. D., Gorsuch, R. L., Lushene, R., Vagg, P. R., & Jacobs, G. A. (1983). Manual for the state-trait anxiety inventory. Palo Alto: Consulting Psychologists Press.
Steed, L. G. (2002). A psychometric comparison of four measures of hope and optimism. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 62(3), 466–482. https://doi.org/10.1177/00164402062003005.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
The materials and procedures used in this study were approved by the appropriate university institutional review board.
Conflict of Interest
The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.
Additional information
Publisher’s Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Mezo, P.G., Elhai, J.D. Character Strengths as Complementary Predictors of Anxiety Symptoms. Applied Research Quality Life 16, 2173–2183 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11482-020-09867-6
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11482-020-09867-6