Character strengths and well-being: Differences in social activity among college students

There has been an increase in students seeking counseling services in universities, with depression and anxiety being the most prevalent presenting concerns. Previous research indicates that the use of character strengths has been effective in reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety. Many of the interventions used to develop character strengths and improve well-being involve a social component, yet no research has investigated how social activity relates to the link between character strengths and well-being. In this study, relationships between the following variables were explored: character strengths (love, hope, curiosity, zest), subjective well-being, social activity, and social group participation. Social activity as a mediator of character strengths and well-being was also explored. Data were collected from 254 college-age students, ranging from 18 to 24 years of age (M = 20.60). One outlier was removed from the data, ending with 253 total participants, with 67% female (n=169) and 33% male (n=84). Descriptive statistics, frequency statistics, Pearson product-moment correlations, independent samples t-tests, and hierarchical multiple regression were used. Males endorsed higher levels of social activity (M = 24.67, SD = 4.93) than female participants (M = 23.07, SD = 4.01). Additionally, there were statistically significant differences in subjective well-being and endorsement of love scores, with females scoring higher than male participants. Consistent with previous research, results show a moderate positive correlation between subjective well-being and love (r(250) = .467, p < .01), hope (r(250) = .357, p < .01), curiosity (r(250) = .387, p < .01), zest (r(250) = .429, p < .01). Inconsistent with previous research, a significant relationship between social activity and well-being was not found. A positive significant relationship between social group participation and well-being was found r(250) = .197, p < .01 as well as between social group participation and love r(250) = .127, p < .05, curiosity r(250) = .159, p < .05, and zest r(250) = .184, p < .05. No significant relationship was found for hope. Results of the Sobel test suggest that mediation was not present. Implications of these findings as well as limitations and directions for future research are discussed