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
Psychological Studies (June 2010) 55(2):151–158 153
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
154 Psychological Studies (June 2010) 55(2):151–158
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
Psychological Studies (June 2010) 55(2):151–158 155
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
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