The good character at work: An initial study on the contribution of character strengths in identifying healthy and unhealthy work-related behavior and experience patterns

International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health

Volumn 85, Issue 8, 2012, Pages 895-904

  Gander, F ^a   Proyer, R T ^a   Ruch, W ^a   Wyss, T ^a  

^a UNIVERSITY OF ZURICH   (Switzerland)

Author keywords

Burnout; Character strengths; Positive psychology; Work related behavior and experience

Indexed keywords

ADAPTIVE BEHAVIOR; ADULT; AGED; ARTICLE; BURNOUT; CHARACTER; EXPLORATORY BEHAVIOR; FEMALE; HUMAN; JOB SATISFACTION; MENTAL HEALTH; MIDDLE AGED; MORALITY; PERSONALITY TEST; PSYCHOLOGICAL ASPECT; QUESTIONNAIRE; RISK ASSESSMENT; SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY;

ADAPTATION, PSYCHOLOGICAL; ADULT; AGED; BURNOUT, PROFESSIONAL; CHARACTER; EXPLORATORY BEHAVIOR; FEMALE; HUMANS; JOB SATISFACTION; MENTAL HEALTH; MIDDLE AGED; PERSONALITY INVENTORY; QUESTIONNAIRES; RISK ASSESSMENT; SOCIAL VALUES; VIRTUES; YOUNG ADULT;

EID: 84870953519     PISSN: 03400131     EISSN: None     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1007/s00420-012-0736-x     Document Type: Article

References (51)

1. Bauer J, Stamm A, Virnich K, Wissing K, Müller U, Wirsching M, Schaarschmidt U (2006) Correlation between burnout syndrome and psychological and psychosomatic symptoms among teachers. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 79:199-204. doi:10.1007/s00420-005-0050-y (Pubitemid 43085293)
2. Bonneterre V, Liaudy S, Chatellier G, Lang T, de Gaudemaris R (2008) Reliability, validity, and health issues arising from questionnaires used to measure Psychosocial and Organizational Work Factors (POWFs) among hospital nurses: a critical review. J Nurs Meas 16(3):207-230
3. Carver CS, Scheier MF, Miller CJ, Fulford D (2009) Optimism. In: Lopez SJ, Snyder CR (eds) Oxford handbook of positive psychology. Oxford University Press, New York, pp 303-313
4. Coyne I, Bartram D (eds) (2006) ITC guidelines on computer-based and internet-delivered testing. Int J Test 6. doi:10.1207/s15327574ijt0602-3
5. Emmons RA, McCullough ME (2003) Counting blessings versus burdens: an experimental investigation of gratitude and subjective well-being in daily life. J Pers Soc Psychol 84:377-389. doi:10.1037/0022-3514.84.2.377 (Pubitemid 38397287)
6. Fredrickson BL (2004) The broaden-And-build theory of positive emotions. Philos Trans R Soc B-Biol Sci 359:1367-1378. doi:10.1098/rstb.2004.1512 (Pubitemid 39275375)
7. Gosling SD, Vazire S, Srivastava S, John OP (2004) Should we trust Web-based studies A comparative analysis of six preconceptions about Internet questionnaires. Am Psychol 59:93-104. doi:10.1037/0003-066X.59.2.93 (Pubitemid 38318025)
8. Hakanen JJ, Schaufeli WB, Ahola K (2008) The job demands-resources model: a three-year cross-lagged study of burnout, depression, commitment, and work engagement. Work Stress 22:224-241. doi:10.1080/02678370802379432
9. Hodges TD, Clifton DO (2004) Strengths-based development in practice. In: Linley AP, Joseph S (eds) Positive psychology in practice. Wiley, New Jersey, pp 256-268
10. Khumalo IP, Wissing MP, Themane QM (2008) Exploring the validity of the Values-In-Action Inventory of Strengths (VIA-IS) in an African context. J Psychol Af 18:133-144
11. Linley PA, Maltby J, Wood AM, Joseph S, Harrington S, Peterson C et al (2007) Character strengths in the United Kingdom: the VIA Inventory of Strengths. Pers Indiv DiVer 43:341-351. doi:10.1016/j.paid.2006.12.004
12. Luthans F, Avolio BJ (2009) The "point" of positive organizational behavior. J Organ Behav 30:291-307. doi:10.1002/job.589
13. Magyar-Moe JL (2009) Therapist's guide to positive psychological interventions. Academic Press/Elsevier, Burlington Matthews MD
14. Eid J, Kelly D, Bailey JKS, Peterson C (2006) Character strengths and virtues of developing military leaders: an international comparison. Mil Psychol 18:57-68. doi:10.1207/s15327876mp1803s-5
15. Mitchell J, Stanimirovic R, Klein B, Vella-Broderick D (2009) A randomised controlled trial of a self-guided internet intervention promoting well-being. Comput Hum Behav 25:749-760. doi:10.1016/j.chb.2009.02.003
16. Park N (2004) Character strengths and positive youth development. Ann Am Acad Polit Soc Sci 591:40-54. doi:10.1177/0002716 203260079 (Pubitemid 38023883)
17. Park N, Peterson C (2006a) Character strengths and happiness among young children: content analysis of parental descriptions. J Happiness Stud 7:323-341. doi:10.1007/s10902-005-3648-6 (Pubitemid 44290996)
18. Park N, Peterson C (2006b) Moral competence and character strengths among adolescents: the development and validation of the Values in Action Inventory of Strengths for Youth. J Adolesc 29:891-909. doi:10.1016/j.adolescence.2006.04. 011 (Pubitemid 44615705)
19. Park N, Peterson C (2010) Does it matter where we live The urban psychology of character strengths. Am Psychol 65:535-547. doi:10.1037/a0019621
20. Park N, Peterson C, Seligman MEP (2004) Strengths of character and well-being. J Soc Clin Psychol 23:603-619. doi:10.1521/jscp.23. 5.603.50748 (Pubitemid 39519266)
21. Park N, Peterson C, Seligman MEP (2006) Character strengths in Wftyfour nations and the Wfty US states. J Posit Psychol 1:118-129. doi:10.1080/ 17439760600619567
22. Peterson C (2006) The values in action (VIA) classiWcation of strengths. In: Csikszentmihalyi M, Csikszentmihalyi IS (eds) A life worth living. Oxford University Press, New York, pp 29-48
23. Peterson C, Park N (2004) ClassiWcation and measurement of character strengths: implications for practice. In: Linley PA, Joseph S (eds) Positive psychology in practice. Wiley, Hoboken, pp 433-446
24. Peterson C, Park N (2006) Character strengths in organizations. J Organ Behav 27:1149-1154. doi:10.1002/job.398 (Pubitemid 44825750)
25. Peterson C, Seligman MEP (2003) Character strengths before and after September 11. Psychol Sci 14:381-384. doi:10.1111/1467-9280. 24482 (Pubitemid 37282839)
26. Peterson C, Seligman MEP (2004) Character strengths and virtues: a handbook and classiWcation. American Psychological Association, Washington
27. Peterson C, Park N, Seligman MEP (2005) Assessment of character strengths. In: Koocher GP, Norcross JC, Hill SS (eds) Psychologists' desk reference, 2nd edn. Oxford University Press, New York, pp 93-98
28. Peterson C, Ruch W, Beermann U, Park N, Seligman MEP (2007) Strengths of character, orientation to happiness, and life satisfaction. J Posit Psychol 2:149-156. doi:10.1080/1743976070 1228938
29. Peterson C, Park N, Pole N, D'Andrea W, Seligman MEP (2008) Strengths of character and posttraumatic growth. J Trauma Stress 21:214-217. doi:10.1002/jts.20332 (Pubitemid 351655759)
30. Peterson C, Park N, Hall N, Seligman MEP (2009) Zest and work. J Organ Behav 30:161-172. doi:10.1002/job.584
31. Peterson C, Stephens JP, Park N, Lee F, Seligman MEP (2010) Strengths of character and work. In: Linley PA, Harrington S, Garcea N (eds) Oxford handbook of positive psychology and work. Oxford University Press, New York, pp 221-231
32. Proyer RT, Ruch W (2009) How virtuous are gelotophobes Self-And peer-reported character strengths among those who fear being laughed at. Humor: Int J Humor Res 22:145-163. doi:10.1515/HUMR.2009.007
33. Richman LS, Kubzansky L, Maseiko J, Kawachi I, Choo P, Bauer M (2005) Positive emotion and health: going beyond the negative. Health Psychol 24:422-429. doi:10.1037/0278-6133.24.4.422 (Pubitemid 41099143)
34. Ruch W, Huber A, Beermann U, Proyer RT (2007) Character strengths as predictors of the "good life" in Austria, Germany and Switzerland. In: Romanian Academy, "George Barit" Institute of History, Department of Social Research (ed) Studies and researches in social sciences, vol 16. Argonaut Press, Cluj-Napoca, pp 123-131
35. Ruch W, Proyer RT, Harzer C, Park N, Peterson C, Seligman MEP (2010a) Adaptation and validation of the German version of the Values in Action Inventory of Strengths (VIA-IS) and the development of a peer-rating form. J Indiv DiVer 31:138-149. doi:10.1027/1614-0001/a000022
36. Ruch W, Proyer RT, Weber M (2010b) Humor as a character strength among the elderly: empirical Wndings on age-related changes and its contribution to satisfaction with life. Z Gerontol Geriatr 43:13-18. doi:10.1007/s00391-009- 0090-0
37. Schaarschmidt U, Fischer AW (1997) AVEM -ein diagnostisches Instrument zur DiVerenzierung von Typen gesundheitsrelevanten Verhaltens und Erlebens gegenüber der Arbeit [AVEM -An instrument for diagnosing diVerent types of work -And health-related behavior and experience]. Z DiVer Diagn Psychol 18:151-163
38. Schaarschmidt U, Fischer AW (2001) Coping with professional demands: a new diagnostic approach. In: Kallus KW, Posthumus N, Jiménez P (eds) Current psychological research in Austria. Akademische Druck-und Verlagsanstalt, Graz, pp 145-149
39. Schaarschmidt U, Fischer AW (2008) Arbeitsbezogenes Verhaltensund Erlebensmuster AVEM, 3rd edn. Pearson PLC, London
40. Schaarschmidt U, Kieschke U, Fischer AW (2006) Diagnostik beruXichen Bewältigungsverhaltens auf der Grundlage eines ressourcenorientierten Ansatzes [Individual resources of coping with occupational stress. A type diagnostic approach]. Wirtsch Psychol 2:56-63
41. Seligman MEP, Csikszentmihalyi M (2000) Positive psychology: an introduction. Am Psychol 55:5-14. doi:10.1037/0003-066X.55.1.5
42. Seligman MEP, Steen TA, Park N, Peterson C (2005) Positive psychology progress: empirical validation of interventions. Am Psychol 60:410-421. doi:10.1037/0003-066X.60.5.410
43. Snyder CR, Lopez SJ (2007) Positive psychology: the scientiWc and practical explorations of human strengths. Sage, Thousand Oaks
44. Steger MF, Hicks BM, Kashdan TB, Krueger RF, Bouchard TJ Jr (2007) Genetic and environmental inXuences on the positive traits of the values in action classiWcation, and biometric covariance with normal personality. J Res Pers 41:524-539. doi:10.1016/j.jrp.2006.06.002
45. Vansteenkiste M, Neyrinck B, Niemiec CP, Soenens B, De Witte H, Van den Broeck A (2007) On the relations among work value orientations, psychological need satisfaction and job outcomes: a self-determination theory approach. J Occup Organ Psychol 80:251-277. doi:10.1348/096317906X111024
46. Voltmer E, Bussing A, Thomas C, Spahn C (2010a) Religiosity, spirituality, health and work-related behaviour patterns in pastors of two free protestant denominations. Psychother Psychosom Med Psychol 60:25-433. doi:10.1055/s-0029-1243225
47. Voltmer E, Rosta J, Aasland OG, Spahn C (2010b) Study-related health and behavior patterns of medical students: a longitudinal study. Med Teach 32:422-428. doi:10.3109/0142159X.2010. 496008
48. Voltmer E, Spahn C, Schaarschmidt U, Kieschke U (2011) Workrelated behavior and experience patterns of entrepreneurs compared to teachers and physicians. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 84:479-490. doi:10.1007/s00420-011- 0632-9
49. Warr P (1999) Well-being in the workplace. In: Kahneman D, Diener E, Schwarz N (eds) Well-being: the foundations of hedonic psychology. Russell Sage Foundation, New York, pp 393-412
50. Watson SB, Goh YW, Sawang S (2011) Gender inXuences on the work-related stress-coping process. J Indiv DiVer 32:39-46. doi:10.1027/1614-0001/a000033
51. Youssef CM, Luthans F (2007) Positive organizational behavior in the workplace -The impact of hope, optimism, and resilience. J Manag 33:774-800. doi:10.1177/0149206307305562