Strength across Generations: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Strength Characteristics

Poster Number

070

College

College of Arts and Sciences

Department

Political Science

Faculty Mentor

Hye-Sung Kim, Ph.D.

Abstract

According to Duan and Ho (2016), character strengths are considered human behaviors or qualities that are positive enough in nature to have valuable impact on the surrounding population. This research is a multi-generational study that will aid in the understanding of strength characteristics and the modifications made to them over time. I hypothesized that strength virtues of wisdom, humanity, and justice will be prevalent in the older generations; strength virtues of transcendence, temperance, and courage will be more prevalent in the younger generations; and older generations will feel more satisfied with their lives. A convenience sample of 104 participants took the online survey: 16 Baby Boomers, 25 Generation X, 19 Generation Y, and 33 Generation Z. I used ordinary least-squares estimation to analyze the data. Compared to younger generations, older generations were less likely to show character strengths of curiosity, perspective, self-regulation, honesty, and judgment. Older generations were less likely than younger ones to show character strengths of perseverance, zest, and humor at a marginally significant level. There was no significant relation between generation and life satisfaction. My results suggest that the virtues of courage, transcendence, temperance, and wisdom are more prevalent in the younger generations. These findings are important because they show a trend that can help further the understanding of strength characteristics and their behaviors over time.

Course Assignment

PLSC 350 – Kim

Start Date

12-4-2019 2:15 PM

End Date

April 2019

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Apr 12th, 2:15 PM Apr 12th, 4:15 PM

Strength across Generations: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Strength Characteristics

Richardson Ballroom – DiGiorgio Campus Center

According to Duan and Ho (2016), character strengths are considered human behaviors or qualities that are positive enough in nature to have valuable impact on the surrounding population. This research is a multi-generational study that will aid in the understanding of strength characteristics and the modifications made to them over time. I hypothesized that strength virtues of wisdom, humanity, and justice will be prevalent in the older generations; strength virtues of transcendence, temperance, and courage will be more prevalent in the younger generations; and older generations will feel more satisfied with their lives. A convenience sample of 104 participants took the online survey: 16 Baby Boomers, 25 Generation X, 19 Generation Y, and 33 Generation Z. I used ordinary least-squares estimation to analyze the data. Compared to younger generations, older generations were less likely to show character strengths of curiosity, perspective, self-regulation, honesty, and judgment. Older generations were less likely than younger ones to show character strengths of perseverance, zest, and humor at a marginally significant level. There was no significant relation between generation and life satisfaction. My results suggest that the virtues of courage, transcendence, temperance, and wisdom are more prevalent in the younger generations. These findings are important because they show a trend that can help further the understanding of strength characteristics and their behaviors over time.