Welcome to SY25: Character Strengths Use At Work SY25.1: Developing Strengths Use at Work: Findings from a New Intervention Program (Dubreuil et al., Canada) SY25.2: The Role of Strengths Use in Teachers (Harzer, Germany) SY25.3: Character strengths use at work: Implications and predictors (Littman-Ovadia & Lavy, Israel) SY25.4: The Role of Strengths Use in Undergraduate Career Development (Douglass & Duffy, United States) 4th World Conference on PP 1
The role of strengths use in teachers Claudia Harzer University of Kassel, Kassel, Germany,
Introduction - Basic thoughts person-job fit decisive for positive work-related outcomes like job satisfaction, pleasure, flow, and calling (e.g., Harter & Blacksmith, 2010; Novak, 1996; Verquer et al., 2003) Values in Action (VIA) classification of strengths (Peterson & Seligman, 2004) 24 cross-culturally valued character strengths (e.g., honesty, teamwork, humor) personality characteristics (e.g., a person is honest and/or prudent) character strengths can be ranked for each individual with respect to how central they are to the person up to seven core or signature strengths their use is fulfilling & satisfying 4th World Conference on PP 3
Introduction - Basic thoughts on strengths-related person-job fit (Harzer, 2012) Number of applied signature strengths (0-7) Peterson and Seligman (2004) describe 24 character strengths most people have up to seven signature strengths Possession of signature strengths Strength rank 1 Strength rank 2... Strength rank 7 VIA-IS (Ruch et al., 2010) score 3.5 (at least slight endorsement) Applicability of signature strengths ACS-RS score ACS-RS score... ACS-RS score ACS-RS (Harzer & Ruch, 2013) score 4 (at least often applicable) 4th World Conference on PP 4
Introduction: Empirical evidence (examples) number of applied signature strengths (0-7) positive experiences at work (Harzer & Ruch, 2012, 2013) pleasure, engagement, meaning, job satisfaction calling (Harzer & Ruch, 2012) job performance (Harzer & Ruch, 2014) task performance, job dedication, interpersonal facilitation, org. support so far: mixed samples of employees from various occupations therefore: very little is known right now about job-specific effects of strengths use 4th World Conference on PP 5
Aims of the present study study role of strengths use in specific job groups teachers are multipliers due to their intensive contacts with students occupational group with a large impact utilize teacher specific outcomes like strain and burnout teaching-related self-efficacy job performance = instructional behavior (classroom management, control, cognitive activation, error culture, social support, empathy) 4th World Conference on PP 6
Methods: Sample and procedure Sample 359 teachers (107 males) age: M = 42.84, SD = 10.83, 24-65years German-speaking, from different schools and German states predominantly high school teachers job tenure: M = 14.35 years (SD = 10.96) Procedure: online survey via UniPark immediate individual feedback in character strengths and their applicability plus working material 4th World Conference on PP 7
Methods: Measurements (reliable & valid) Character strengths Values in Action Inventory of Strengths (VIA-IS; Peterson et al., 2005; German version: Ruch et al., 2010) Applicability of Character Strengths Rating Scales (ACS-RS; Harzer & Ruch, 2013) General work-related outcomes Work Related Flow Inventory (WOLF; Bakker, 2008) Work and Meaning Inventory (WAMI; Steger et al., 2012) Job Satisfaction Questionnaire (JSQ; Andrews & Withey, 1976) Calling Scale (Dobrow & Tosti-Kharas, 2011; German version: Harzer, 2014) Work-related outcomes in teachers Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI; Maslach & Jackson, 1981) Teacher Self-Efficacy Scale (TSE; Schwarzer & Schmitz, 1999) Instructional Behavior Questionnaire (Kunter & Baumert, 2006; Kunter et al., 2007) 4th World Conference on PP 8
Results: General work-related outcomes number of applied signature strengths (0-7) positive experiences at work calling enjoyment: r =.33*** (.44***) engagement: r =.24** meaning: r =.33*** (.47***) overall job satisfaction: r =.27*** intrinsic motivation: r =.31*** (.39***) r =.15** (Strengths use in general) 4th World Conference on PP 9
Results: Work-related outcomes in teachers number of applied signature strengths (0-7) positive experiences at work (Strengths use in general) teacher self-efficacy: r =.30*** teacher satisfaction: r =.18** strain and burnout strain: r = -.21*** emotional exhaustion: r = -.16** lack of accomplishment: r = -.40*** depersonalization: r = -.25** (-.49***) job performance classroom management: r =.09 (.12*) control: r =.09 (.16*) cognitive activation: r =.22*** positive error culture: r =.19** social support: r =.31*** (.39***) empathy: r =.20*** (.30***) 4th World Conference on PP 10
Discussion application of signature strengths fosters positive experiences at work and performance-related outcomes in teachers for some variables also the general strengths use seems to be of relevance; here: enjoyment at work meaning at work intrinsic work motivation burnout: lack of accomplishment social support empathy foster person-job fit vs. moral behavior and competencies 4th World Conference on PP 11
Discussion Limitations cross-sectional data self-ratings only Outlook teachers AND students to study interactive relations self- and other-ratings relations between character strengths and outcomes 4th World Conference on PP 12
Students Teachers Call for schools/teachers that are interested in interactive relations 4th World Conference on PP 13
Thanks a lot for your interest! Any questions? Comments?
Appendix: The 24 character strengths Creativity Curiosity Judgment Love of learning Perspective Bravery Perseverance Honesty Zest Capacity to love and to be loved Kindness Social intelligence Wisdom & Knowledge Courage Humanity Teamwork Fairness Leadership Forgiveness Modesty Prudence Self-regulation Appreciation of beauty and excellence Gratitude Hope Humor Spirituality Justice Temperance Transcendence (Peterson & Seligman, 2004) (Pictures: Lupo, Rainer Sturm, Marco Barnebeck, Lupo, TiM Caspary, & Wolfgang Pfensig / pixelio.de) 4th World Conference on PP 15
Curiosity Love Fairness Judgement Honesty Kindness Love of Learning Teamwork Leadership Social Intelligence Gratitude Perseverance Forgiveness Hope Zest Bravery Humor Perspective Creativity Prudence Appreciation Self-regulation Modesty Spirituality 4.25 4.00 3.75 3.50 3.25 3.00 2.75 2.50 2.25 2.00 Appendix: Character strengths and applicability in teachers Endorsement Applicability 4th World Conference on PP 16