Personality Traits and Character Strengths as Predictors of Well-Being

The purpose of this study was to gain a better understanding of how character strengths (i.e., positive characteristics about a person that can be developed) can predict subjective well-being above and beyond personality. Although the relationship between personality and well-being is well-understood, there is little research done comparing personality and character strengths and how character strengths may provide added value in predicting subjective well-being. Thus, the present study sought to examine whether character strengths will predict subjective well-being above and beyond personality. Two-hundred and thirty seven participants responded to scales measuring each person\u27s personality traits, character strengths, satisfaction with life, and subjective happiness. The study results showed that character strengths do, in fact, predict subjective well-being above and beyond personality. Implications of these findings and recommendations for future research were discussed