Character Strengths and Life Satisfaction of Slovenian In-service and Pre-service Teachers
Keywords:
character strengths, life satisfaction, in-service teachers, pre-service teachers, positive psychology
Abstract
Character strengths and life satisfaction of Slovenian in-service and preservice teachers were researched. The VIA-IS self-assessment questionnaire has been translated into the Slovenian language and has been used for the first time in Slovenia. A total of 173 primary school teachers and 77 student teachers from the Faculty of Education, University of Ljubljana, completed the VIA-IS and the Satisfaction with Life Scale questionnaires. The highest reported strengths in both groups studied were fairness, kindness, integrity and love. Unexpectedly, both in-service and pre-service teachers reported low endorsements of creativity; in- service teachers also showed low endorsement of humour. Surprisingly, the lowest endorsed strength of pre-service teachers was love of learning. Correlations between strengths and life satisfaction were consistent with related research findings. Low endorsement of creativity, teachers’ humour and students’ love of learning are discussed. From the research findings, it can be concluded that professional environment should stimulate, as well as provide support and opportunities for teachers to build not only upon the strengths of humanity and justice, but also on those of wisdom and knowledge. There is a need in the undergraduate level of teacher education for systematic interventions regarding students’ intellectual strengths with a special focus on cultivating their creativity.Downloads
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References
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inappropriate uses of humor by teachers. Communication Education, 55(2), 178–196.
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Welker, W. A. (1977). Humor in education: A foundation for wholesome living. College Student
Journal, 11, 252–254.
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Bryant, J., Comisky, P. W., Crane, J. S., & Zillman, D. (1980). Relationship between college teachers’ use of humor in the classroom and students’ evaluations of their teachers. Journal of Educational Psychology, 72, 511–519.
Chan, D. W. (2009). The hierarchy of strengths: Their relationships with subjective well-being among Chinese teachers in Hong Kong. Teaching and Teacher Education, 25(6), 867–875.
Diener, E. (1994). Assessing subjective well-being: Progress and opportunities. Social Indicators
Research, 31, 103–157.
Diener, E., Emmons, R. A., Larsen, R. J., & Griffin, S. (1985). The Satisfaction with Life Scale. Journal of Personality Assessment, 49, 71–75.
Krapp, A., & Fink, B. (1992). The development and function of interests during the critical transition from home to preschool. In K. A. Renninger, S. Hidi, & A. Krapp (Eds.), The Role of Interest in Learning and Development (pp.397–429). Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum.
Linley, P. A., Maltby, J., Wood, A. M., Joseph, S., Harrington, S., Peterson, C., Park, N., & Seligman,
M. E. P. (2007). Character strengths in the United Kingdom: The VIA Inventory of Strengths.
Personality and Individual Differences, 43, 341–351.
Müller, L., & Ruch, W. (2011). Humor and strengths of character. Journal of Positive Psychology, 6(5), 368–376.
Park, N., Peterson, C., & Seligman, M. E. P. (2004). Strengths of character and well-being. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 23(5), 603–619.
Park, N., Peterson, C., & Seligman M. E. P. (2006). Character strengths in fifty-four nations and the fifty US states. Journal of Positive Psychology, 1(3), 118–129.
Peterson, C., & Park, N. (2006). Character strengths in organizations. Journal of Organizational
Behavior, 27, 1149–1154.
Peterson, C., Park, N., & Seligman, M. E. P. (2004). Assessment of character strengths. In G. P.
Koocher, J. C. Norcross, & S. S. Hill, III (Eds.), Psychologists’ Desk Reference (2nd ed.). New York:
Oxford University Press.
Peterson, C., Ruch, W., Beermann, U., Park, N., & Seligman, M. E. P. (2007). Strengths of character, orientations to happiness, and life satisfaction. Journal of Positive Psychology, 2(3), 149–156.
Peterson, C., & Seligman, M. E. P. (2004). Character Strengths and Virtues: A handbook and
classification. New York: Oxford University Press.
Ruch, W., Proyer, R. T., Harzer, C., Park, N., Peterson, C., & Seligman, M. E. P. (2010). Values in
Action Inventory of Strengths (VIA-IS): Adaptation and validation of the German version and the
development of a peer-rating form. Journal of Individual Difference, 31(3), 138–149.
Seligman, M. E. P., & Cziksentmihalyi, M. (2000). Positive psychology: An introduction. American
Psychologist, 55, 5–14.
Seligman, M. E. P., Steen, T. A., Park, N. & Peterson, C. (2005). Positive Psychology Progress:
Empirical Validation of Interventions. American Psychologist, 60(5) 410–421.
Wanzer, M. B., Bainbridge Frymier, A., Wojtaszczyk, A. M., Smith, T. (2006). Appropriate and
inappropriate uses of humor by teachers. Communication Education, 55(2), 178–196.
Scott, T. M. (1976). Humor in teaching. Journal of Physical Education and Recreation, 7, 18.
Welker, W. A. (1977). Humor in education: A foundation for wholesome living. College Student
Journal, 11, 252–254.
Published
2012-09-30
How to Cite
Gradišek, P. (2012). Character Strengths and Life Satisfaction of Slovenian In-service and Pre-service Teachers. Center for Educational Policy Studies Journal, 2(3), 167–180. https://doi.org/10.26529/cepsj.379
Section
VARIA
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