Signature Strengths
Summary of Research Findings “Signature strengths” refers to those character strengths that are most essential to who we are. In addition, they are strengths that usually (but not always) appear toward the top of one’s profile of results after taking the free VIA Survey. Interventions and practical exercises around signature strengths are some of the most popular, frequently discussed, and widely investigated areas in the field of positive psychology.
- More studies on signature strengths can be found under the " VIA character strengths in the workplace" section.
Research Articles
This study investigated the role of signature strengths use – and organizational support for strengths use – in enhancing organizational outcomes, as per the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) theory. Results indicate that these factors, along with work engagement, job performance, and turnover intentions, significantly impact both perceived and objective organizational performance, emphasizing the mutual benefits for employees and organizations in fostering a strengths-based culture and interventions (Mubashar & Harzer, 2023). **Mubashar, T., & Harzer, C. (2023). It takes two to tango: Linking signature strengths use and organizational support for strengths use with organizational outcomes. Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1111/ joop.12455
Study of allyship (i.e., when the member of a dominant or majority group works to end oppression by supporting or advocating for an oppressed individual/group) finding that highlighting a female employee’s identity-related strengths after a discrimination episode was linked with higher inclusion and vitality as compared with communicating the organization’s diversity policy or confronting the transgressor. Highlighting identity strengths signals the ally’s sincerity and thereby prompts inclusion (Warren, Sekhon, & Waldrop, 2022).
Warren, M.A., Sekhon,T., & Waldrop, R. J. (2022). Highlighting strengths in response to discrimination: Developing and testing an allyship positive psychology intervention. International Journal of Wellbeing. http://doi.org/10.5502/ijw.v12i1.1751This longitudinal study investigated how the application of signature strengths might facilitate potential long-term protective effects on well-being among medical students. Interestingly, results indicate that higher levels of well-being might first be mandatory in order to have access to one’s own signature character strengths in a naturalistic setting, which calls for further research, since previous studies suggest that the applicability of signature character strengths affects well-being and not vice versa (Huber et al., 2021). Huber, A., Bair, A., Strecker, C., Höge, T., & Höfer, S. (2021). Do more of what makes you happy? The applicability of signature character strengths and future physicians’ well-being and health over time. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 534983. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.534983
This chapter discusses strengths, character strengths, and signature strengths in the workplace (Schutte & Malouf, 2021).
Schutte, N. S., & Malouff, J. M. (2021). Using signature strengths to increase happiness at work. In J. Marques (Ed.), The Routledge companion to happiness at work (pp. 13–22). Routledge/Taylor & Francis Group. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429294426-2A rare clinical study of character strengths and signature strengths in the university counseling context found zest to be associated with better and faster treatment outcomes (i.e., a treatment excellerator), fairness and perseverance as predicting better outcomes, and hope as predicting less sessions completed (Uliaszek, Rashid, & Zarowsky, 2021).
Uliaszek, A.A., Rashid, T. & Zarowsky, Z. (2021). The role of signature strengths in treatment outcome: Initial results from a large and diverse university sample. Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10879-021-09523-6Randomly assigned students to one of three groups: a group that reflected on strengths prior to the stress of exams, a group that focused on weaknesses prior to exams, and a group that focused on neutral experiences. The strengths group showed enhanced optimism and prevention of negative emotions and distress (Dolev-Amit, Rubin, & Zilcha-Mano, 2020).
Dolev-Amit, T., Rubin, A., & Zilcha-Mano, S. (2020). Is awareness of strengths intervention sufficient to cultivate wellbeing and other positive outcomes? Journal of Happiness Studies. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-020-00245-5In a study examining the link between signature strengths and well-being among thousands of adults, the best predictor of well-being was having signature strengths be perceived as valued and recognized by others (Blanchard, Kerbeykian, & McGrath, 2019).
Blanchard, T., Kerbeykian, T. & McGrath, R. E. (2019). Why are signature strengths and well-being related? Tests of multiple hypotheses. Journal of Happiness Studies. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-019-00170-2Partially replicated earlier signature strengths intervention studies but in this case using a youth population from India. A random assignment of classrooms found that the signature strengths interventions and gratitude visit boosted well-being, life satisfaction, and happiness, while interventions involving self-reflection and journaling showed no effects. No impact on depression was shown (Khanna & Singh, 2019).
Khanna, P., & Singh, K. (2019). Do all positive psychology exercises work for everyone? Replication of Seligman et al.’s (2005) interventions among adolescents. Psychological Studies. Advance online publication. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12646-019-00477-3Random assignment of a single-session intervention using the Aware-Explore-Apply model of character strengths (Niemiec, 2014, 2018) and focused on activities involving strengths identification, signature strengths, goals, and character strengths 360. The results include a significant increase in thriving one week after the intervention and significant decreases in negative emotion three months after the intervention. Strengths knowledge fully explained the impact on thriving (Bu & Duan, 2018).
Bu, H., & Duan, W. (2018). A single-session positive cognitive intervention on first-year students’ mental health: Short-term effectiveness and the mediating role of strengths knowledge. Journal of American College Health. Advance online publication. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2018.1497639Examined signature strengths between-persons (global) and within-persons (daily) among employed adults. The global use of signature strengths was connected with global job satisfaction and job strain while daily variations in signature strengths use related to daily job satisfaction and strain. This article emphasizes the importance of helping employees find daily opportunities to apply their signature strengths (Merritt, Huber, & Bartkoski, 2018).
Merritt, S., Huber, K., & Bartkoski, T. (2018). Application of signature strengths at work: A dual-level analysis. Journal of Positive Psychology, 14(1), 113-124. https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2018.1519589A study of 155 women caring for an older adult who were randomly assigned to one of three groups: using signature strengths in new ways, using signature strengths adapted to the caregiving domain, or a survey only control group. All groups showed a boost in happiness and the original signature strengths intervention showed a significant decrease in depression at one month follow-up (MacDougall, 2018).
MacDougall, M. C. (2018). Signature strengths: a positive psychology intervention with informal caregivers. Dissertation Abstracts International: Section B: The Sciences and Engineering, 79(4-B(E)).This meta-analysis focused on the popular intervention “use your signature strengths in a new way.” Using strict inclusion criteria for the best studies, the results found that the signature strengths intervention had a positive impact on happiness, depression, and life satisfaction. Other significant findings included a positive impact on flourishing and strengths use. No impact was found for negative affect (Schutte & Malouff, 2018).
Schutte, N. S., & Malouff, J. M. (2018). The impact of signature character strengths interventions: A meta-analysis. Journal of Happiness Studies. Advance online publication. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10902-018-9990-2A single-session signature strengths intervention showed significant increases in thriving and decreases in negative emotional symptoms in the short-term but not after one year. Strengths use partially explained why the intervention was effective (Duan et al., 2018).
Duan, W., Bu, H., Zhao, J., & Guo, X. (2018). Examining the mediating roles of strengths knowledge and strengths use in a 1 year single session character strength based cognitive intervention. Journal of Happiness Studies. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-018-0014-zExplores the science of signature strengths and other character strengths findings in the context of the coaching relationship (McQuaid, Niemiec, & Doman, 2018).
McQuaid, M., Niemiec, R. M., & Doman, F. (2018). Character strengths-based approaches in positive psychology coaching. In S. Green and S. Palmer (Eds.), Positive psychology coaching in practice (pp. 71-84). Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge.Randomly controlled study of a multi-step, single-session intervention focusing on signature strengths. The intervention showed significant increases in well-being and decreases in depression and anxiety in the long-run while stress levels decreased in the short-run (Duan & Bu, 2017).
Duan, W., & Bu, H. (2017). Randomized trial investigating of a single-session character-strength-based cognitive intervention on freshman’s adaptability. Research on Social Work Practice. http://doi.org/10.1177/1049731517699525A review of 18 experimental strengths studies (including but not limited to signature strengths) found that all types of strengths interventions had positive outcomes, which included well-being, work engagement (and other workplace outcomes), personal growth, and group/team benefits. Mediators and moderators were also explored (Ghielen, van Woerkom, & Meyers, 2017).
Ghielen, S. T. S., van Woerkom, M., & Christina Meyers, M. (2017). Promoting positive outcomes through strengths interventions: A literature review. Journal of Positive Psychology. http://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2017.1365164Studied 33 depressed clients at mental health treatment centers and found that an element of psychological mindedness involves the detection and use of one’s own signature strengths and the detection of others’ signature strengths use. Also found that depression has a negative impact on psychological mindedness and on the identification of one’s own signature strengths (Denhier & Csillik, 2016).
Denhier, M., & Csillik, A. (2016). The role of psychological mindedness in psychotherapy for depression. Journal de Thérapie Comportementale et Cognitive, 26(4), 162-169. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jtcc.2016.06.004A group of students randomly assigned to an 8-week, online strengths intervention showed significant gains in well-being, compared to a control group (Koydemir & Sun-Selışık, 2016).
Koydemir, S., & Sun-Selışık, Z. E. (2016). Well-being on campus: Testing the effectiveness of an online strengths-based intervention for first year college students. British Journal of Guidance & Counselling, 44(4), 434-446. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/03069885.2015.1110562A character strengths course in China over 8 weeks was found to generate immediate and sustained benefits to students’ self-efficacy, positive affect, and academic performance (Li & Liu, 2016).
Li, T., T., & Liu, X. M. (2016). A longitudinal intervention study on senior high school students and secondary vocational school students' character strength. Chinese Journal of Applied Psychology, 3.A qualitative study of seminarians finding that the practice of signature strengths was related to the strengthening of vocation, more relatedness, competence, autonomy, enhancement of self-esteem, and decrease in negative emotions, which contributed to an increase in life satisfaction (Fernandez, 2016).
Fernandez, E. (2016). The experiences of active engagement of signature strengths on the well-being among Indian college going seminarians: An intervention study. Unpublished dissertation.Theoretical argument for the importance of signature strengths being used across many situations, as well as phasic character strengths that can be drawn upon in particular situations (Escandón, Martinez, & Flaskerud, 2016).
Escandón, S., Martinez, M. L., & Flaskerud, J. H. (2016). Exploring character strengths: Forging a relationship between nursing students and community youth. Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 37(11), 875-877. http://doi.org/10.3109/01612840.2016.1149748In a study that suffered from high dropout (295 subjects started and 72 completed the study), all positive interventions and placebo increased significantly in happiness and decreased in depression, and it was the signature strengths in new ways group that had the most substantial benefits (Woodworth et al., 2016).
Woodworth, R. J., O’Brien-Malone, A., Diamond, M. R., & Schuz, B. (2016). Web-based positive psychology interventions: A reexamination of effectiveness. Journal of Clinical Psychology. http://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.22328A study of workers found that using signature strengths in new ways combined with a 10-minute structured debriefing was beneficial for increasing strengths use and the number of goals set compared to a group that only used signature strengths in new ways (Butina, 2016).
Butina, B. L. (2016). An investigation of the efficacy of the using your signature strengths in a new way exercise to enhance strengths use in work settings (Doctoral dissertation). Northcentral University, Scottsdale, AZ. Manuscript submitted for publicationA signature strengths in new ways intervention group of high school girls in Japan showed significant gains in possibility-seeking and effort-to-possibility (elements of self-formation consciousness) and feelings/understanding of their top strengths (Morimoto, Takahashi, & Namiki, 2015).
Morimoto, Y., Takahashi, M., & Namiki, K. (2015). Using a character strengths program to increase self-formation consciousness of high school girls. Japanese Journal of Educational Psychology, 63(2), 181-191. http://dx.doi.org/10.5926/jjep.63.181Randomized, controlled trial involving 3 groups - adults who targeted top 5 strengths, adults who targeted bottom 5 strengths, and a placebo group. The 2 intervention groups showed benefits to happiness for up to three months and depression benefits as well. Those with initially higher strength levels tended to benefit more from working on lower strengths while those initially lower in strengths levels tended to benefit more from working on higher strengths (Proyer et al., 2015).
Proyer, R. T., Gander, F., Wellenzohn, S., & Ruch, W. (2015). Strengths-based positive psychology interventions: A randomized placebo-controlled online trial on long-term effects for a signature strengths vs. a lesser strengths-intervention. Frontiers in Psychology, 6, 456. http://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2015.00456Although not using VIA strengths, studies from different disciplines have shown that targeting the strong – a capitalization model – is superior in important ways to a focus on remediating deficiencies – a compensation model. Examples from psychotherapy (Cheavens et al., 2012) and the workplace (Meyers et al., 2015) are referenced here.
1. Cheavens, J. S., Strunk, D. R., Lazarus, S. A., & Goldstein, L. A. (2012). The compensation and capitalization models: A test of two approaches to individualizing the treatment of depression. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 50, 699-706.
2. Meyers, M.C., van Woerkom, M., de Reuver, R., Bakk, Z., & Oberski, D.L. (2015). Enhancing psychological capital and personal growth initiative: Working on strengths or deficiencies? Journal of Counseling Psychology, 62(1), 50-62. http://doi.org/10.1037/cou0000050.In a rare positive psychology intervention study of older adults (aged 50-79), the group assigned to work on using a signature strength in a new way was the most effective intervention overall as it lead to both increases in happiness and decreases in depression. Other interventions were effective for one or the other, for example, gratitude visit and 3 good things benefited happiness levels while 3 funny things reduced depression levels (Proyer et al., 2014a).
Proyer, R. T., Gander, F., Wellenzohn, S., & Ruch, W. (2014a). Positive psychology interventions in people aged 50–79 years: long-term effects of placebo-controlled online interventions on well-being and depression. Aging & Mental Health, 18(8), 997-1005.Examines several positive interventions (e.g., signature strengths in new ways, three good things) and the type of person x intervention fit in predicting happiness/depression over 3.5 years. Finds continued practice, effort, preference, and early reactivity to be good predictors of happiness and/or depression (Proyer et al. 2014b).
Proyer, R. T., Wellenzohn, S., Gander, F., Ruch, W. (2014b). Toward a better understanding of what makes positive psychology interventions work: Predicting happiness and depression from the person × intervention fit in a follow-up after 3.5 years. Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being. http://doi.org/10.1111/aphw.12039This study examined the endorsement and idealization of character strengths among married couples. Strengths endorsement and strengths deployment were related to relationship satisfaction. Another finding was that men’s idealization of their wives’ strengths was negatively associated with relationship satisfaction while this was not true for the wives (Lavy, Littman-Ovadia, & Bareli, 2014).
Lavy, S., Littman-Ovadia, H., & Bareli, Y. (2014). My better half: Strengths endorsement and deployment in married couples. Journal of Family Issues. http://doi.org/10.1177/0192513X14550365.Study showed effectiveness of interventions on signature strengths and on gratitude for boosting happiness and decreasing depression, relative to a control group (Senf & Liau, 2013).
Senf, K., & Liau, A. K. (2013). The effects of positive interventions on happiness and depressive symptoms, with an examination of personality as a moderator. Journal of Happiness Studies, 14, 591–612.Strengths-based career counseling was compared with conventional career counseling and both client groups had an increase in daily strengths use but only the former had enhanced self-esteem. At 3-month follow-up, the strengths-based career counseling group had a higher rate of employment (81%) than the conventional career counseling group (60%) (Littman-Ovadia, Lazar-Butbul, & Benjamin, 2014). Another study examining career work examined the relationship between vocational personalities (e.g., artistic, social, etc.) and character strengths; for example, the strength of love of learning explained nearly 10% of the "investigative personality" (Littman-Ovadia, Potok, & Ruch, 2013).
1. Littman-Ovadia, H., Lazar-Butbul, V., Benjamin, B. A. (2014). Strengths-based career counseling: Description and evaluation. Journal of Career Assessment.
2. Littman-Ovadia, H., Potok, Y., & Ruch, W. (2013). The relationship between vocational personalities and character strengths in adults. Psychology.This randomized-controlled study showed the relationship between strengths use (the previous day) and positive mood the following day, as well as a connection between decreased mood (the previous day) and strengths use the following day. Finally, this study showed that a relationship intervention (writing a brief letter to a loved one daily) amplified the positive effects of strengths deployment on mood (Lavy, Littman-Ovadia, & Bareli, 2014).
Lavy, S., Littman-Ovadia, H., & Bareli, Y. (2014). Strengths deployment as a mood-repair mechanism: Evidence from a diary study with a relationship exercise group. Journal of Positive Psychology.A normal population was randomly assigned to an Internet intervention (involving strengths work, gratitude, kindness, and other validated exercies) or a control group and the intervention group had improved balance of positive to negative affect over time (Drozd et al., 2014).
Drozd, F., Mork, L., Nielsen, B., Raeder, S., Bjorkli, C. A. (2014). Better days – A randomized controlled trial of an internet-based positive psychology intervention. Journal of Positive Psychology. http://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2014.910822.Both signature strengths and strengths balance (framed as "jack of all strengths" from the phrase "jack of all trades") uniquely predicted higher well-being. In addition, subjects had stronger implicit associations with signature strengths than with their lower strengths (Young, Kashdan, & Macatee, 2014).
Young, K. C., Kashdan, T. B., & Macatee, R. (2014). Strength balance and implicit strength measurement: New considerations for research on strengths of character. Journal of Positive Psychology.In a study examining the relationships (moderators) of signature strengths use, signature strengths level, life calling, and life satisfaction, individuals low in calling and high in signature strengths level had the strongest connection between signature strengths use and life satisfaction. A key finding here is that the use of signature strengths is particularly important for those low in meaning and purpose (Allan & Duffy, 2013).
Allan, B. A., & Duffy, R. D. (2013). Examining moderators of signature strengths use and well-being: Calling and signature strengths level. Journal of Happiness Studies. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10902-013-9424-0.Study showed effectiveness of interventions on signature strengths and on gratitude for boosting happiness and decreasing depression, relative to a control group (Senf & Liau, 2013).
Senf, K., & Liau, A. K. (2013). The effects of positive interventions on happiness and depressive symptoms, with an examination of personality as a moderator. Journal of Happiness Studies, 14, 591–612.A strengths training intervention (involving noticing when, where, and how top strengths are used and writing about this) was found to be effective in boosting life satisfaction in the short-run and long-run in the Chinese education context. The placebo effect was ruled out by having some participants informed of the purpose of the study and some not and finding that this had no long-term effect on life satisfaction (Duan, Ho, Tang, Li, & Zhang, 2013).
Duan, W., Ho, S. M. Y., Tang, X., Li, T., & Zhang, Y. (2013). Character strength-based intervention to promote satisfaction with life in the Chinese university context. Journal of Happiness Studies. http://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-013-9479-y.The VIA Institute conducted four studies investigating the initial concept, criteria, and suggested quantity of "signature" strengths in individuals. Studies 1 and 2 used two different approaches to signature strengths criteria defining the strength as energizing, natural, and essential to one's core character. More than half of the subjects in each study identified having 11 or more signature strengths according to this more general definition. Studies 3 and 4 used more stringent criteria/methods. In these two studies about one third of individuals identified having 11 or more signature strengths and nearly 50% reported having 7 or fewer signature strengths. Additionally signature strengths were found to have significantly higher VIA scores than non-signature strengths. These results support the construct of signature strengths and indicate that the average number of signature strengths that people think of themselves as having is larger than positive psychology researchers originally proposed. Narrowing the criteria results in fewer strengths being identified as signature (Mayerson, 2013).
Mayerson, N. M. (2013). Signature strengths: Validating the construct. Presentation to International Positive Psychology Association, Los Angeles, CA, 82-83. DOI: 10.1037/e574802013-112.Using one’s signature strengths in a new way increased happiness and decreased depression for 6 months (Gander, Proyer, Ruch, & Wyss, 2012).
Gander, F., Proyer, R. T., Ruch, W., & Wyss, T. (2012). Strength-based positive interventions: Further evidence for their potential in enhancing well-being. Journal of Happiness Studies.The use of signature strengths elevates individuals’ harmonious passion (i.e., doing activities that are freely chosen without constraints, are highly important, and part of the individual’s identity). This then leads to higher well-being (Forest et al., 2012).
Forest, J., Mageau, G. V. A., Crevier-Braud, L., Bergeron, L., Dubreuil, P., & Lavigne, G. V. L. (2012). Harmonious passion as an explanation of the relation between signature strengths’ use and well-being at work: Test of an intervention program. Human Relations, 65 (9), 1233-1252.Using one’s signature strengths in a new way increased happiness for 6 months and decreased depression for 3 months (Mongrain & Anselmo-Matthews, 2012).
Mongrain, M., & Anselmo-Matthews, T. (2012). Do positive psychology exercises work? A replication of Seligman et al. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 68 (4), 382-389.Student evaluations in an undergraduate psychology course that used blogs for students to explore the use of signature strengths in new ways and gratitude exercises were significantly higher than student evaluations in the same course that did not use blogs (Bridges, Harnish, & Sillman, 2012).
Bridges, K. R., Harnish, R. J., & Sillman, D. (2012). Teaching undergraduate positive psychology: An active learning approach using student blogs. Psychology Learning & Teaching, 11 (2), 228-237.Among youth, the use of signature strengths in novel ways along with personally meaningful goal-setting led to increases in student engagement and hope (Madden, Green, & Grant, 2011).
Madden, W., Green, S., & Grant, A. M. (2011). A pilot study evaluating strengths-based coaching for primary school students: Enhancing engagement and hope. International Coaching Psychology Review, 6 (1), 71-83.A qualitative study examined the use of VIA strengths by women in the workplace and found that in all cases, strengths led to a “virtuous circle” in which the strengths use helped them overcome obstacles that had impeded strengths use. All subjects derived unique value from using character strengths at work (Elson & Boniwell, 2011).
Elston, F., & Boniwell, I. (2011). A grounded theory study of the value derived by women in financial services through a coaching intervention to help them identify their strengths and practice using them in the workplace. International Coaching Psychology Review, 6 (1), 16-32.In a longitudinal study, strengths use was found to be an important predictor of well-being and led to less stress and increased positive affect, vitality, and self-esteem at 3-month and 6-month follow-up (Wood et al., 2011).
Wood, A. M., Linley, P. A., Matlby, J., Kashdan, T. B., & Hurling, R. (2011). Using personal and psychological strengths leads to increases in well-being over time: A longitudinal study and the development of the strengths use questionnaire. Personality and Individual Differences, 50, 15-19.Exploratory study of experienced psychotherapists and their perceptions of how signature strengths enhance their work. Three themes emerged: meaningful work, higher energy levels, and enabling work environment conditions (Piquette-Tomei & Atkinson, 2010).
Piquette-Tomei, N., & Atkinson, K. E. (2010). Psychotherapists’ views of using signature strengths in the workplace: An exploratory study. Database: OAlster. University of Lethbridge.There is a strong connection between well-being and the use of signature strengths because strengths helps us make progress on our goals and meet our basic needs for independence, relationship, and competence (Linley et al., 2010).
Linley, P. A., Nielsen, K. M., Gillett, R., & Biswas-Diener, R. (2010). Using signature strengths in pursuit of goals: Effects on goal progress, need satisfaction, and well-being, and implications for coaching psychologists. International Coaching Psychology Review, 5 (1), 6-15.From student interviews it was found that those who are the best of the best at using signature strengths also maintain social support and build on their success which give them further confidence in their strengths use (Bowers & Lopez, 2010).
Bowers, K. M., & Lopez, S. J. (2010). Capitalizing on personal strengths in college. Journal of College and Character, 11 (1).Random assignment to a group instructed to use 2 signature strengths or use 1 signature strength and 1 bottom strength revealed significant gains in satisfaction with life compared with a control group but no differences between the 2 treatment groups (Rust, Diessner, & Reade, 2009).
Rust, T., Diessner, R., & Reade, L. (2009). Strengths only or strengths and relative weaknesses? A preliminary study. Journal of Psychology, 143 (5), 465-476.The identification of signature strengths followed by discussion with a friend about strengths and use of three signature strengths in daily life boost cognitive (but not affective) well-being at three months follow-up (Mitchell, Stanimirovic, Klein, & Vella-Brodrick, 2009).
Mitchell, J., Stanimirovic, R., Klein, B., & Vella-Brodrick, D. (2009). A randomised controlled trial of a self-guided internet intervention promoting well-being. Computers in Human Behavior, 25, 749–760.The use of one’s top strengths leads to a decreased likelihood of depression and stress and an increase in satisfaction in law students (Peterson & Peterson, 2008).
Peterson, T. D., & Peterson, E. W. (2008). Stemming the tide of law student depression: What law schools need to learn from the science of positive psychology. Yale Journal of Health Policy, Law, and Ethics, 9 (2). Available at: http://ssrn.com/abstract=1277303Focusing on a therapy client's strengths for 5 minutes prior to a session improves the therapeutic relationship, therapy outcomes, mastery experience, and strengths activation in the session; note that "strengths" focused on are not VIA strengths per se (Fluckiger et al., 2009; Fluckiger & Grosse Holtforth, 2008).
1. Fluckiger, C., Caspar, F., Grosse Holtforth, M., & Willutzki, U. (2009). Working with patients’ strengths: A microprocess approach. Psychotherapy Research, 19(2), 213-223.
2. Fluckiger, C., & Grosse Holtforth, M. (2008). Focusing the therapist’s attention on the patient’s strengths: A preliminary study to foster a mechanism of change in outpatient psychotherapy. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 64, 876-890.Using one’s signature strengths in a new and unique way is an effective intervention: it increased happiness and decreased depression for 6 months (Seligman, Steen, Park, Peterson, 2005).
Seligman, M. E. P., Steen, T. A., Park, N., & Peterson, C. (2005). Positive psychology progress: Empirical validation of interventions. American Psychologist, 60, 410–421.
Updated December 2023