empirical validation of values in action-inventory of strengths (via-is) in indian context

Psychological Studies (June 2010) 55(2):151–158 151

Empirical Validation of Values in Action-Inventory of Strengths (VIA-IS) in Indian Context

Kamlesh Singh, Rajneesh Choubisa

Received: 21 March 2009 / Accepted: 25 March 2010

This study uses self-report measures completed by one hundred and twenty three (123) undergraduate

of 24 character strengths embodied in six core virtues. Using exploratory factor analyses we found, that an exact convergence of the character strengths was explicitly absent with the six-virtues. In our study,

analyzing the data which is further compared to a similar empirical study available for analyzing structural

as a recommendation for future research.

Keywords: Positive psychology, Character strengths, Virtues, Self-report measure

Department of Humanities and Social Sciences,Indian Institute of Technology Delhi,Hauz Khas, New Delhi, India

RESEARCH IN PROGRESS

©National Academy of Psychology (NAOP) India Psychological Studies (June 2010) 55(2):151–158

Introduction

The theological and philosophical meaning of the words

of idiosyncratic jargon restricted to esoteric group of individuals until, positive psychology emerged as a science

& Haidt, 2005). This phenomenon led to whole process of development of a system of

the topics in psychology, philosophy, theology and youth

reviews of historical inventories of strengths and virtues

consideration of the goals of character education programs

The professional’s analysis culminated to achieve a univer-

(Dahlsgaard, Peterson & Seligman, 2005; Biswas-Diener,

The study of ‘‘virtue’’ or ‘‘character strength’’ in positive psychology research led Peterson and Seligman

practical applications for positive character development.

as a positive retaliatory counterpoint (the UnDSM) for complementing the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR; American Psychiatric

psychology have utilized these concepts, which now have

DOI:

152 Psychological Studies (June 2010) 55(2):151–158

of helping people reach an optimal level of functioning

individual strengths of character and fostering them (Seligman, 2002).

The assessment of the Character strengths is also an important issue, which certainly needs some attention

measured character strengths or virtues with self-

Nevertheless, later Peterson and Seligman (2004) have developed the VIA scale in order to measure and assess

respondents to rate some assertions that coalesce well

opposite-absence-strength-exaggeration continuum made VIA the

of different demographic regions for compliance or to

with description of character strengths in an Australian

Five (McCrae & John, 1992) dimensions of personality (MacDonald, Bore & Munro, 2008).

The Present study is empirical study of theoretical

along with validation of scale as discussed, present study compares it with the empirical structure of values in action

in Indian conditions.

Methodology

Participants (N = 123)

Participants (95.1% Males and 4.9% females) in the age

ween 30 to 45 minutes. All the participants were pursuing their positive psychology course and given course credit for participation. Other demographics include predominantly,

reported family type as 80.48% nuclear and 19.52% joint family.

Measures

For measuring CSV the VIA-IS (Peterson & Seligman,

It contains 10 items on each of the 24 strengths measuring all the constructs as theorized. The internal consistency

overall scale.

Procedure

classroom during class-hours under the supervision of re-

for getting responses.

Results

Sciences (SPSS) version-15 was used for this purpose.

Descriptive statistics

The Means and SD values in our sample are ranging from


Factor structure

The prominent (highest) loadings of each strength is shown

inferred (Fig. 1).

in our case are named as civic strengths, self-assurance strengths, interpersonal strengths, intellectual strengths, & theological strengths

factor accounting for 48.49% of the total variance and is

persistence, self-regulation, hope, religiousness, and zest/vitality and thence named self-assurance strengths, which is

Table 1 Comparative descriptive statistics of the 24 character strengthsScale Mean ± SD

(Our sample)*** Standardized Mean ± SD

[Age 18–24]*

**

Creativity 0.80 0.89Curiosity 0.84

0.83Open mindedness 3.9 ± 0.51 0.80Perspective 0.80AuthenticityBravery 0.82Persistence 0.88ZestKindness 3.8 ± 0.49 0.81

0.80Social-intelligence 3.5 ± 0.53 0.80Fairness 3.8 ± 0.52

3.4 ± 0.52 0.80

Forgiveness 3.4 ± 0.55 0.88Modesty 0.80Prudence 3.5 ± 0.53

0.80 0.84Gratitude 0.84Hope 3.8 ± 0.58 0.84Humor 0.81Religiousness 2.8 ± 0.84 0.89Overall – –

***Present study


Table 2 Factor solution and communalities (N = 123)Scale Component Communalities

1 2 3 4 5Fairness 0.84

Modesty/humility 0.430.43

AuthenticityPrudencePersistence 0.80Self-regulationHopeReligiousness/spirituality 0.58 0.48Zest/vitality 0.52Humor 0.42Social-intelligence 0.43BraveryKindness 0.44 0.40Creativity 0.84 0.81Open mindedness

0.50Curiosity 0.40Perspective 0.45Gratitude

0.45

Forgiveness 0.49 0.55Eigen-values and 10.92

45.49%2.03 1.12 1.05

4.41%Total variance

and perspective, which have to do with the cognitive

factor named Intellectual strengths. This is the only factor

of total variance. However, as far as the cross loadings are

and zest in second factor; humor, social-intelligence and

factors will provide more information on the phenomenon

Means, Standard Deviation and Correlation among the named Factors

The means and the standard deviations of the factors have


Fig. 1

Table 3

S. No Characterstrengthscontained within the factor*

Name given to factor (MacDonald et al., 2008 study)*

Factor/component**

Constitutingstrengths** items**

Mean ± SD**

1 Fairness,humility,Mercy and prudence

Strengths of restraint

Civic strengths Authenticity, fairness, prudence leadership,

modesty

0.88

2 Bravery, hope, self-control, zest

Emotionalstrengths

Self-assurancestrengths

Persistence, self-regulation, hope, religiousness and zest

50

3 Kindness, love, leadership,

playfulness

Interpersonalstrengths

Interpersonalstrengths

Humor, social-intelligence,

40

4 Creativity, curiosity, love of learning, appreciation

Intellectualstrengths

Intellectualstrengths

Creativity, curiosity, love of learning, open-mindedness and perspective

50

5 Gratitude,spirituality

Theologicalstrengths

Theologicalstrengths

Gratitude, love, appreciation of

40

*MacDonald et al., 2008 study** Present study

Psychological Studies (June 2010) 55(2):151–158

Table 4Factor/component Civic strengths Self-assurance

strengthsInterpersonal

strengthsIntellectualstrengths

Theological strengths

Civic strengths 1Self-assurance strengths 1Interpersonal strengths 1Intellectual strengths 0.53* 1Theological strengths 1

facet for giving standardized means and standard deviations

relationships with each other. Being theoretically positive character strengths, it was hypothesized that all factors

factor analysis as the correlations are carried out of curiosity

of cross-loadings in our factor structure as most of the

Discussion

found that they are in strong concomitance with the range

Most importantly, the character strength of religiousness

studies done elsewhere, suggesting, and providing evidence

MacDonald et al., 2008).

least two strengths in each facet/factor are in conformity

intermingling of other strengths is providing additional

strengths of restraint comprising of fairness, mercy, humility

civic strengths that underlie healthy community life for successful interaction

they are somewhat modestly correlated on the dimensions

strengths of justice viz citizenship, fairness, and leadership

contains the strengths of persistence, self-regulation, hope, zest and

self-assurance

components viz zest (a

the higher purpose and meaning) possess small loading values and also, religiousness is having a second cross

a theological strength in o

and theological strengths. The second factor in our study is

interpersonal strengths and comprises of humor, social-and

humane virtues. Humor and social-intelligence are having

apart from the society, for effective functioning and healthy

facets which constitute the interpersonal strengths in Mac

intellectual strengths as such consists of strengths of creativity, curiosity, love of learning, open-mindedness & perspective which are cognitive strengths that entails the

& Seligman, 2004). Only two strengths in this facet viz.

The fourth component of MacDonald et al. (2008) study called intellectual strengths consists of creativity, curiosity,

theological strengths,

forge connections to larger universe and give meaning to one’s life. In contrast, the theological strengths simply consist of gratitude and spirituality as far as Australian sample is concerned (MacDonald et al., 2008).

formulation, and development of scales that are meant to

CSV. Peterson and Seligman (2004) pioneered the various

forwarded a one factor where only prudence and modesty were the strengths that did not loaded strongly. Singh and

study on Indian participants with Indian adaptation of Hindi-VIA-IS and have advocated a one-factor solution. Nevertheless, the domains of the four-factor solution repor-

conscientiousness, and niceness comprising of all the

in understanding the conception and fundamentals under-lying them.

Directions for future Research

for drawing more trustworthy inferences.

Acknowledgementstude to Martin Seligman and allied researchers who have

References

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empirical validation of values in action-inventory of strengths (via-is) in indian context

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