The Basic Features and Patterns of Character Strengths among Children and Adolescents in China

Abstract

Abstract: The present study was aimed to investigate the basic features and patterns of character strength among Chinese children and adolescents on a sample of 947 children and adolescents. Results showed that, among 24 character strengths, the top five on which children and adolescents have the highest scores were leadership, beliefs, prudence, modesty, and integrity, the top five on which children and adolescents have the lowest scores were humorous, kindness, gratitude, forgiveness, and curiosity. Boys scored higher on curiosity than girls, while girls scored higher on social intelligence and self-control than boys. There was no significant gender differences on other character strengths; Significant grade differences were found on all character strengths except creativity, faith, judgment, prudence, self control. Latent profile analysis indicated three patterns of character strengths among Chinese children and adolescents. The three patterns were above average group, a little less than the mean of the group and lower than average group. The distribution of three patterns of character strength did not show differences in gender and grade.

Key words: children and adolescents, character strength, latent profile analysis, patterns

摘要： 采用优势行动价值问卷儿童青少年版（VIA-Youth）对947名城市儿童青少年进行调查，以探究儿童青少年优秀品质的基本特点，包括各种优秀品质的性别及年龄特点，以及儿童青少年优秀品质的组合模式等。研究得出以下结论：在24种优秀品质中，儿童青少年得分最高的5种分别是领导力、信仰、审慎、谦虚和正直，得分最低的5种为幽默、善良慷慨、感恩、宽容和好奇心。男生的好奇心得分显著高于女生，女生的情感智力和自我控制得分显著高于男生，在其他优秀品质上不存在显著性别差异；除创造力、信仰等5种优秀品质以外，八年级青少年的优秀品质得分均显著高于五年级儿童。潜剖面分析表明，儿童青少年优秀品质表现为高优秀品质组、中等略低优秀品质组和低优秀品质组3种不同的组合模式，3种组合模式的分布不存在显著的性别和年级差异。

关键词: 儿童青少年, 优秀品质, 潜剖面分析, 组合模式。

CLC Number:

B844.2

Liu Xu, Lv Yanhong, Ma Qiuping, Guo Fei, Yan Xiaojing, Ji Linqin. The Basic Features and Patterns of Character Strengths among Children and Adolescents in China[J]. Studies of Psychology and Behavior, 2016, 14(2): 167-176.

刘旭,吕艳红,马秋萍,郭菲,闫晓静,纪林芹. 儿童青少年优秀品质的基本特点与模式^*[J]. 心理与行为研究, 2016, 14(2): 167-176.

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