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Character Strength-Based Intervention

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EFFECT OF CHARACTER STRENGTHS-BASED INTERVENTION ON THE SELF-ESTEEM OF ADOLESCENTS It was hypothesized that a one day character strength-based intervention for adolescents will bring about an immediate increase in their self-esteem. REVIEW OF LITERATURE 1. A research study by Proctor et al. in 2011 examined the effect of ‘Strengths Gym’, a character strengths-based intervention program on adolescent life satisfaction. It compared students’ life satisfaction, positive and negative affect, and self-esteem for 319 students aged 12 to 14. Results showed that adolescents who participated in character strengths-based exercises experienced significantly increased life satisfaction compared to those who did not. 2. In a longitudinal study by …show more content…

A study published by Weber & Ruch in 2011 examined the role of good character at school. Students completed the Values in Action Inventory and measures on school-related satisfaction and academic self-efficacy. Teachers’ ratings on positive classroom behavior and students’ grades were also collected. Love of learning, zest, gratitude, perseverance and curiosity were positively associated with school-related satisfaction. Whereas hope, love of learning, perseverance and prudence were positively associated with academic self-efficacy. Character strengths of the mind (e.g., self-regulation, perseverance, love of learning) were found to be predictors of school …show more content…

A one day program was conducted which included identification of signature strengths and coming up with new ways to use them in daily life. A sample of 54 students of both genders participated in the study. Their self-esteem was measured before and after the intervention using the Rosenberg Self-esteem scale. The data was then analyzed for significant differences in mean scores and it was found that there was a significant increase in the scores on self-esteem after the intervention. This indicates that the hypothesis is accepted. The activities carried out in the program i.e. identification of key strengths and new ways of using them, can be repeated with or without the help of any adult and this can lead to an immediate boost in the self-esteem of the children. The implications for the study will help adolescents cope with the various psychological and emotional challenges they face by using their signature strengths. They can begin to look at themselves in the light of their strengths and not their weaknesses. Such character-based interventions can also be included in curriculums in schools. This will help parents and teachers assist children to cope with social and academic issues in healthier ways. Though the hypothesis of this study was accepted, certain limitations were present. The intervention time, if longer, could have included more

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