Character Strengths as a Predictor of Adult Friendship Quality and Satisfaction: Implications for Psychological Interventions

Abstract

Since the birth of positive psychology, character strengths-based interventions aiming at promoting wellbeing have become very popular. However, there are only a few previous studies focusing on the associations of character strengths with social wellbeing, e.g., positive outcomes in close relationships. The aim of the present study was to investigate the associations between character strengths and positive adult friendship outcomes (i.e., friendship quality, satisfaction, and number of friends). The effects of age and gender were also examined. A total of 3051 adults aged from 18 to 65 years participated in the study. The Values-In-Action Inventory of Strengths-120 and the McGill Friendship Questionnaires (measuring friendship quality and satisfaction) were used. The results indicated that all character strengths positively correlated with friendship variables, while specific strengths predicted adult friendship quality (love, kindness, honesty, and curiosity), satisfaction (kindness, honesty, modesty, spirituality, love, and bravery), and number of friends (curiosity and persistence). Age, gender, and gender of the friend dyad (same and opposite-sex friendships) moderated only three of these effects. Practical implications for designing and implementing strengths-based positive friendship interventions in several contexts, such as university, workplace, and counselling are discussed.