Character Strengths and Positive Youth Development

Abstract

The goal of positive youth development is to build and strengthen assets that enable youth to grow and flourish throughout life. In this article, the definition, origins, and assessment of character strengths and ways of fostering them are discussed. Character strengths are here defined as a family of positive traits reflected in thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Character strengths are important in their own right, but they additionally promote well-being and buffer against psychological disorders among youth. Good parenting, close relationships with peer and family, positive role models, positive institutions, and various youth development programs play important roles in the development of character strengths. Character strengths exist in degrees, and they can be measured as individual differences. Future studies should approach character strengths as multidimensional constructs to understand better the structure and development of character, and how it contributes to positive youth development.