The Predictive Role of Character Strengths in Clinical Problems among Adolescents in India

Description

Page: 127-134

Ankita Biswas, Sanjukta Das, and Debabrata Biswas (Department of Psychology, University of Calcutta, Kolkata, West Bengal)

Intrinsic human capacities or character strengths have been widely known to have much impact on the well-being of adolescents. However, less is clear about the role of character strengths and virtues in either the prevention or precipitation of psychological disorders. The current study aims to understand the relationship between 24-character strengths and internalizing and externalizing problems among adolescents. This is a short study that incorporated 30 students of 13 to 17 years of age from the community using purposive sampling. Data were collected using the Values in Action Inventory of Strengths for Youth (VIA-Youth) for evaluating 24-character strengths and Youth Self Report (YSR) for assessing psychological problems. Statistical analysis involved correlational and stepwise regression methods. Findings reflected the character strengths to have a significant predictive and contributory impact on behavioural and psychological ailments among adolescents. The results, therefore, endorse the need for incorporating strength-based approaches in the education and intervention of the youth.