Character strengths in transgender and gender diverse people

Abstract

ABSTRACT The psychometric properties of the Values in Action (VIA) Classification of Strengths were evaluated in relation to its use with transgender (trans) and gender diverse (TGD) people. 150 transmen, 150 transwomen, and 150 gender nonbinary people matched by age (18 to 63 years of age; M = 29.7, SD = 9.9) and of similar ethnicity and nationality completed the 192-item VIA-IS-R. Confirmatory factor analysis of responses supported a modified three-factor model consisting of three higher-order ‘virtues’ – inquisitiveness, caring, and self-control. The model demonstrated adequate convergent and discriminant validity as well as measurement invariance (configural, metric and scalar) across the three TGD groups. Construct validity was supported by multiple regressions showing that the virtues explained significant variance in self-perceived resilience and, to a lesser extent, trans-specific positive measures. These results suggest that with modification, the VIA-IS-R is suitable for use with gender diverse people.