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
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.
