Character Strengths and Character Strengths and Character Strengths and Character Strengths and Mental Wellness : Mental Wellness : Mental Wellness : Mental Wellness :

Prevention and InterventionPrevention and InterventionPrevention and InterventionPrevention and InterventionAnthony Tong, Ed.D.Anthony Tong, Ed.D.Anthony Tong, Ed.D.Anthony Tong, Ed.D.Clinical Psychologist, Clinical Psychologist, Clinical Psychologist, Clinical Psychologist, Kowloon East Cluster, Kowloon East Cluster, Kowloon East Cluster, Kowloon East Cluster,

Hospital AuthorityHospital AuthorityHospital AuthorityHospital AuthorityChairman,Chairman,Chairman,Chairman,

The United Centre of Emotional Health The United Centre of Emotional Health The United Centre of Emotional Health The United Centre of Emotional Health and Positive Living and Positive Living and Positive Living and Positive Living

Basic Assumptions of Basic Assumptions of Basic Assumptions of Basic Assumptions of Positive Psychology:Positive Psychology:Positive Psychology:Positive Psychology:

1. There is a human ‘nature’2. Action proceeds from character 3. Character comes in two forms, both equally

fundamental – bad character, and good or virtuous character.

Character Strengths and Character Strengths and Character Strengths and Character Strengths and Good LifeGood LifeGood LifeGood Life

• Seligman’s formulae for good life: using your signature strengths (top character strengths) every day in the main realms of main realms of main realms of main realms of your lifeyour lifeyour lifeyour life to bring abundant gratification gratification gratification gratification and authentic happinessauthentic happinessauthentic happinessauthentic happiness.

A Model for Working with A Model for Working with A Model for Working with A Model for Working with StrengthsStrengthsStrengthsStrengths

1. Aware2. Explore3. Apply

--- Ryan M. Niemiec (2010)

Classification of Virtues Classification of Virtues Classification of Virtues Classification of Virtues • After reviewing about 200 catalogues of

virtues from worldwide philosophies and religions, Peterson & Seligman (2004) found six virtues standing out as universal.

The Six VirtuesThe Six VirtuesThe Six VirtuesThe Six Virtues1) Wisdom and knowledge(智慧與知識)2) Courage (勇氣)3) Love and humanity (仁愛)4) Justice (公義)5) Temperance (節制)6) Transcendence (靈性及超越)

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Classification of VirtuesClassification of VirtuesClassification of VirtuesClassification of Virtues• There are different routes to achieve each virtue.

These routes are called character strengths, by which we achieve the virtues.

• Characters strengths can be defined as positive traits reflected in thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

• Seligman calls the strengths an individual is most assured of his or her signature strengthssignature strengthssignature strengthssignature strengths.

Classification of VirtuesClassification of VirtuesClassification of VirtuesClassification of Virtues• Character strengths are not talents, they are

moral traits. moral traits. moral traits. moral traits. • Talents are relatively automatic (inborn),

whereas character strengths are usually more voluntarily acquired.voluntarily acquired.voluntarily acquired.voluntarily acquired.

24242424 Character Strengths Character Strengths Character Strengths Character Strengths Wisdom & Wisdom & Wisdom & Wisdom & KnowledgeKnowledgeKnowledgeKnowledgeCreativityCuriosityOpen-mindednessLove of learningPerspectiveCourageCourageCourageCourageBraveryPersistenceIntegrityVitalityHumanityHumanityHumanityHumanityLoveKindnessSocial IntelligenceJusticeJusticeJusticeJusticeCitizenshipFairnessLeadership

TranscendenceTranscendenceTranscendenceTranscendenceAppreciation of beauty & excellenceGratitude HopeHumor SpiritualityTemperanceTemperanceTemperanceTemperanceForgiveness & mercyHumility/ ModestyPrudenceSelf-regulation

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6 VIA Virtues & 6 VIA Virtues & 6 VIA Virtues & 6 VIA Virtues & 24 Strengths24 Strengths24 Strengths24 Strengths

24242424種個性優點種個性優點種個性優點種個性優點智慧與知識智慧與知識智慧與知識智慧與知識勇氣勇氣勇氣勇氣 好奇心好奇心好奇心好奇心 喜愛學習喜愛學習喜愛學習喜愛學習 公義公義公義公義勇敢勇敢勇敢勇敢 堅持堅持堅持堅持 開明的思想開明的思想開明的思想開明的思想 公民感公民感公民感公民感正直正直正直正直 生命力生命力生命力生命力 創造力創造力創造力創造力、、、、靈巧性和獨創性靈巧性和獨創性靈巧性和獨創性靈巧性和獨創性 不偏不倚不偏不倚不偏不倚不偏不倚洞察力洞察力洞察力洞察力 領導才能領導才能領導才能領導才能六項美德六項美德六項美德六項美德仁愛仁愛仁愛仁愛 與與與與 節制節制節制節制仁慈仁慈仁慈仁慈 社交智慧社交智慧社交智慧社交智慧 二十四個性格優點二十四個性格優點二十四個性格優點二十四個性格優點 自我規範自我規範自我規範自我規範 審慎審慎審慎審慎愛愛愛愛 寬恕與慈悲寬恕與慈悲寬恕與慈悲寬恕與慈悲謙恭謙恭謙恭謙恭////謙遜謙遜謙遜謙遜靈性與超越靈性與超越靈性與超越靈性與超越對美麗和卓越的欣賞對美麗和卓越的欣賞對美麗和卓越的欣賞對美麗和卓越的欣賞感恩感恩感恩感恩 希望希望希望希望 幽默感幽默感幽默感幽默感靈修性靈修性靈修性靈修性10

Categories of Character StrengthsCategories of Character StrengthsCategories of Character StrengthsCategories of Character Strengths1.1.1.1. Emotional strengthsEmotional strengthsEmotional strengthsEmotional strengths (e.g. playfulness, zest,

intimacy, and hope) 2.2.2.2. Conative strengthsConative strengthsConative strengthsConative strengths (e.g. open-mindedness,

industry, prudence, and self-regulation)3.3.3.3. Cognitive strengthsCognitive strengthsCognitive strengthsCognitive strengths (e.g. love of learning,

perspective)4. Interpersonal strengthsInterpersonal strengthsInterpersonal strengthsInterpersonal strengths (e.g. leadership,

forgiveness, teamwork, and kindness)5. Transcendence strengthsTranscendence strengthsTranscendence strengthsTranscendence strengths (e.g. awe, gratitude,

and spirituality)

Signature StrengthsSignature StrengthsSignature StrengthsSignature Strengths• The signature strengths are the top strengths

the person selfselfselfself----consciouslyconsciouslyconsciouslyconsciously owns, celebrates, and presumably exercises every day in work, love, play, and parenting, etc.

Signature StrengthsSignature StrengthsSignature StrengthsSignature Strengths• For the signature strengths, one should have:

1. A sense of ownershipownershipownershipownership and authenticity authenticity authenticity authenticity (this is the real me)

2. A feeling of excitementexcitementexcitementexcitement while displaying it3. A rapid learning curverapid learning curverapid learning curverapid learning curve as the strength is first

practiced

Signature StrengthsSignature StrengthsSignature StrengthsSignature Strengths

4. A feeling of inevitability inevitability inevitability inevitability in using the strength5.5.5.5. InvigorationInvigorationInvigorationInvigoration rather than exhaustion while using

the strength6. The creation and pursuit of personal projectspersonal projectspersonal projectspersonal projects

that revolve around it7.7.7.7. Joy, zest, Joy, zest, Joy, zest, Joy, zest, and enthusiasm enthusiasm enthusiasm enthusiasm while using it.

VIA ClassificationVIA ClassificationVIA ClassificationVIA Classification• A working group led by Peterson & Seligman

(2004) resulted in the VIA (Virtues in Action) Classification as a counterpart to the DSM (mental disorder classification).

• The VIA Survey of Character Strengths can be found in the website: www.authentichappiness.comwww.authentichappiness.comwww.authentichappiness.comwww.authentichappiness.com

The VIA Inventory of Strengths The VIA Inventory of Strengths The VIA Inventory of Strengths The VIA Inventory of Strengths (VIA(VIA(VIA(VIA----IS)IS)IS)IS)

• People with high score on serenity are also high on spirituality and forgiveness.

• People with high score on kindness enjoy jobs in which they can mentor others;

• People who successfully recovered from serious physical or psychological difficulties score higher on appreciation of beauty, gratitude, and hope.

The VIA Inventory of Strengths The VIA Inventory of Strengths The VIA Inventory of Strengths The VIA Inventory of Strengths (VIA(VIA(VIA(VIA----IS)IS)IS)IS)

• In the immediate aftermath of 911, there are significant increases for intimacy, kindness, gratitude, citizenship/teamwork, hope and spirituality scores.

Character Strengths and Character Strengths and Character Strengths and Character Strengths and WellWellWellWell----beingbeingbeingbeing

• According to AristotleAristotleAristotleAristotle’’’’ssss notion of well-being, happiness or fulfillment is not an eventual consequence of virtuous action but rather inherent in such action.

• Life satisfaction is a property of the life life life life well livedwell livedwell livedwell lived, in accordance with certain character strengths .

Character Strengths & WellCharacter Strengths & WellCharacter Strengths & WellCharacter Strengths & Well----beingbeingbeingbeing• In an internet-based study (Park,

Peterson & Seligman, 2004) with a sample of about 4000 participants, five key strengths are more closely and consistently related to life satisfaction than the other strengths:

• Measures are VIA Inventory of Strengths and Satisfaction with Life Scale.

Character Strengths & WellCharacter Strengths & WellCharacter Strengths & WellCharacter Strengths & Well----beingbeingbeingbeing• The five character strengths are (in

descending order):1.1.1.1. Hope (& Optimism)Hope (& Optimism)Hope (& Optimism)Hope (& Optimism)2.2.2.2. ZestZestZestZest3.3.3.3. GratitudeGratitudeGratitudeGratitude4.4.4.4. CuriosityCuriosityCuriosityCuriosity5.5.5.5. LoveLoveLoveLove

Character Strengths &Character Strengths &Character Strengths &Character Strengths &WellWellWellWell----beingbeingbeingbeing

• Zest is a virtual tautology, curiosity may be one as well.

• Gratitude connects one happily to the past

• Hope connects one happily to the future• Zest and curiosity reside in the here and

now.• Love is the domain in which life plays

itself out in the most fulfilling way.

Strengths of the HeartStrengths of the HeartStrengths of the HeartStrengths of the Heart

• Strengths of the heart – zest, gratitude, zest, gratitude, zest, gratitude, zest, gratitude, hope and lovehope and lovehope and lovehope and love – more robustly associated with life satisfaction than are the more cerebral strengths such as curiosity and love of learning.

Strength of SelfStrength of SelfStrength of SelfStrength of Self----regulationregulationregulationregulation• Self-regulation among parents, although

not strongly associated with parental life satisfaction, is positively linked to the life satisfaction of their children.

Cultivation of Character Strengths Cultivation of Character Strengths Cultivation of Character Strengths Cultivation of Character Strengths • Deliberate attempts to cultivate the good life –

such as those embodied in character education, life coaching, or youth development programs.

• Encourage people to plan how to use their strengths to create their best lives.

Tips for Using Character Strengths Tips for Using Character Strengths Tips for Using Character Strengths Tips for Using Character Strengths • http://www.viastrengths.org/ReserachPrac

tice/Practice/Exercises/tabid/132/Default.aspx

Use of Positive InterviewUse of Positive InterviewUse of Positive InterviewUse of Positive Interview• What are your signature strengths? (Character)(Character)(Character)(Character)• What do you have a natural ability for? (Talent)(Talent)(Talent)(Talent)• What are you good at? (Skills)(Skills)(Skills)(Skills)• What do you hope for your future? (Dreams)(Dreams)(Dreams)(Dreams)• What principles do you hold most dear? (Values)(Values)(Values)(Values)

--- Ryan M. Niemiec (2010)

Character Strengths & Character Strengths & Character Strengths & Character Strengths & Achieving GoalsAchieving GoalsAchieving GoalsAchieving Goals

• Identify (intrinsic) goals • Keep goals small (to build motivation)• Set behavioral goals, not outcome goals• Goals should be specific and realistic• Align goals with values and interests• Frame goals in positive direction

--- Ryan M. Niemiec (2010)

Character Strengths & Character Strengths & Character Strengths & Character Strengths & Achieving GoalsAchieving GoalsAchieving GoalsAchieving Goals

• GoalGoalGoalGoal: What do you want to do?• ActivityActivityActivityActivity: How will you accomplish this goal?• Character strength applicationCharacter strength applicationCharacter strength applicationCharacter strength application: How will you

use your strength(s) to reach the goal?

--- Ryan M. Niemiec (2010)

Use of Strengths in Use of Strengths in Use of Strengths in Use of Strengths in Facing Challenges Facing Challenges Facing Challenges Facing Challenges

• Describe a situation or challenge in your life.

• Keep the situation in mind as you go through your signature strengthssignature strengthssignature strengthssignature strengths. How can you use your signature strengths to face the situation in the best possible way?

Using Character Strengths in Using Character Strengths in Using Character Strengths in Using Character Strengths in Counseling Counseling Counseling Counseling

• “Practitioners need to recognize that much of the best work they already do in the consulting room is to amplify strengthsamplify strengthsamplify strengthsamplify strengthsrather than to repair the weaknesses of their clients.”

-- Seligman and Csikszentmihalyi, 2000

Using Character Strengths in Using Character Strengths in Using Character Strengths in Using Character Strengths in CounselingCounselingCounselingCounseling

• Thinking about a client’s strengths prior to therapy sessions:

1. Boost strength activation2. Strengthen the therapist-client relationship3. Foster mastery experiences4. Improve therapy outcomes

-- Ryan M. Niemiec (2010)

Working with Clients in Therapy Working with Clients in Therapy Working with Clients in Therapy Working with Clients in Therapy • Elicit positive stories• Give positive responses

1. Active listening2. Active-constructive responding3. Positive reframing4. Noting exceptions5. Exploring solutions

• Call for your own character strengths--- Ryan M. Niemiec (2010)

Using Character Strengths in Using Character Strengths in Using Character Strengths in Using Character Strengths in CounselingCounselingCounselingCounseling

• Is it possible to target at particular character strengths for particular problems? E.g. hope and gratitude for depression, self-control/self-regulation for anger or impulse control problem, spirituality for emptiness or meaninglessness?

Building of Character StrengthsBuilding of Character StrengthsBuilding of Character StrengthsBuilding of Character Strengths• Home environment and parenting• School education – moral education, life

education, whole school approach• Mental health services – counseling,

psychotherapy• Self- development and pursuit

Chinese Culture and VirtuesChinese Culture and VirtuesChinese Culture and VirtuesChinese Culture and Virtues• Are Chinese particularly good at certain

character strengths (e.g. prudence) or weak at some other character strengths (e.g. citizenship, creativity?)

• How will Chinese clients or students respond to interventions targeting at character strength building? What are the cultural variables that can be used to facilitate such interventions (e.g. emphasis on self-cultivation in Confucianism)?

Conclusion Conclusion Conclusion Conclusion • Character strengths can be used to foster positive development in different domainsdifferent domainsdifferent domainsdifferent domains, e.g. character education, positive youth development, life coaching, workplace wellness promotion, etc. • Hard work and sustained effortHard work and sustained effortHard work and sustained effortHard work and sustained effort are needed to cultivate character strengths, no easy job for counselors, teachers, mentors and parents.

ReferencesReferencesReferencesReferences• Seligman, M. E. P. (2002). Authentic happiness. NY:

Free Press.• Peterson, C. & Park, N. (2004). Classification and measurement of character strengths: Implications for

practice. In P. A. Linley & S. Joeseph. (Eds.) Positive psychology in practice. NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

• Park, N., Peterson, C., & Seligman, M. (2004). Strengths of character and well-being. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 23(5), p. 603-619.

• Niemiec, R. M. (2010). VIA Intensive: Character strengths and virtues in practice workshop materials.