Action Value Research Articles

The challenge of learning adaptive mental behavior.

Many psychotherapies aim to help people replace maladaptive mental behaviors (such as those leading to unproductive worry) with more adaptive ones (such as those leading to active problem solving). Yet, little is known empirically about how challenging it is to learn adaptive mental behaviors. Mental behaviors entail taking mental operations and thus may be more challenging to perform than motor actions; this challenge may enhance or impair learning. In particular, challenge when learning is often desirable because it improves retention. Yet, it is also plausible that the necessity of carrying out mental operations interferes with learning the expected values of mental actions by impeding credit assignment: the process of updating an action's value after reinforcement. Then, it may be more challenging not only to perform-but also to learn the consequences of-mental (vs. motor) behaviors. We designed a task to assess learning to take adaptive mental versus motor actions via matched probabilistic feedback. In two experiments (N = 300), most participants found it more difficult to learn to select optimal mental (vs. motor) actions, as evident in worse accuracy not only in a learning but also test (retention) phase. Computational modeling traced this impairment to an indicator of worse credit assignment (impaired construction and maintenance of expected values) when learning mental actions, accounting for worse accuracy in the learning and retention phases. The results suggest that people have particular difficulty learning adaptive mental behavior and pave the way for novel interventions to scaffold credit assignment and promote adaptive thinking. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Strategy to evaluate the impact of formaldehyde in anatomical pathology laboratory part II

Formaldehyde (FA) is a hazardous chemical, highly used in the anatomical pathology laboratories. The adverse health effects related to FA occupational exposure are generally related to long-term exposure, however the short-term exposure to peak concentrations are equally of high concern. The occupational monitoring commonly uses the 8h-Time Weight Average (TWA) metric to assess the exposure, but for those chemicals with acute effects, also the15min short-term exposure is strongly recommended. In this study, the occupational monitoring was carried out in an anatomical pathology laboratory with an in-continuous, instantaneous, and direct reading instrument for 65 work shifts (WS). In none of these, the FA European Union (EU) TWA occupational limit (620 g/m3) was exceeded. Differently, in 40 WS the EU Short Term Exposure Limit (STEL) (740 g/m3) was exceeded, even several times a WS. In sight of this, the 8h-TWA metric only could give poor information of the exposure scenario, involving peak emissions, then a 15min peak exposure assessment, via in continuous monitoring, could help managing the risk. In addition, using the inference equation, an Action Value (AV) of the 8h-TWA above which the 15min measurements are strongly recommended, equal to 23.1 g/m3, is suggested for FA.

Measuring Global Character Dimensions: An Ant Colony Optimization Approach toward Three Core Strength Scales

The Values in Action (VIA) framework encompasses 24 universally valued character strengths. Recent factor-analytic work has identified three global core strengths (metatraits) that proved to be well-interpretable and cross-culturally replicable: positivity, dependability, and mastery. However, there are no short scales to economically measure these core strengths that would encourage (large-scale) survey-based research on the global level of the VIA trait space. In the present study, we selected 18 items to measure the three metatraits from the 96-item IPIP-VIA-R inventory. To optimize the item selection while considering multiple psychometric criteria simultaneously, we made use of Ant Colony Optimization. Thereby, we obtained balanced-keyed scales that cover the heterogeneous constructs well, showed good model fit and reliability across six samples from Germany and the U.K. (total N = 2,754), and achieved scalar measurement invariance across countries. Furthermore, we demonstrated each scale’s validity by locating the three core strengths in a nomological net with personality and value metatraits, life satisfaction, and behavioral criteria. Available in the public domain in English and German, these both valid and economical core strength scales may further stimulate integrative research on personality and values.

The Role of Character Strengths on Adolescents’ Participation in Sports

The Values in Action (VIA) Classification of Strengths and Virtues provides a detailed assessment of character based on 24-character strengths. The current study aimed to investigate whether these character strengths play role in adolescents' participation in extracurricular activities, specifically sports. To achieve this, a demographic questionnaire and the VIA Youth Survey (96-item) were completed by 3810 adolescents in the UK. The data were analyzed using binary logistic regression, and the findings indicated that the virtues of teamwork, perseverance, leadership, spirit, and zest were predictors of participation in sports during adolescence. The results also showed significant gender differences in character strengths and participation in sports. Female students scored higher on character strengths of prudence, perseverance, kindness, and humility, while male students scored higher on creativity, spirituality, and zest. Female students were also less likely to participate in sports compared to male students. The implications of these findings for future research and practice are discussed.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Processes Differentially Predict Aspects of Mental Health.

Psychological flexibility relates to various aspects of mental health, including psychological distress and adaptive mental health. The CompACT has been developed to assess psychological flexibility by quantifying psychological flexibility as a multidimensional whole, and by three processes of psychological flexibility including, Openness to Experience (OE), Behavioral Awareness (BA), and Valued Action (VA). The current study examined the unique predictive property of each three process of the CompACT with aspects of mental health. Participants (N = 593) were a diverse sample of United States adults. Our results found OE and BA significantly predicted depression, anxiety, and stress. OE and VA significantly predicted satisfaction with life, and all three processes significantly predicted resilience. Our results support multidimensional assessment of psychological flexibility when examining aspects of mental health.

The values in action character strengths model: a resource for people in addiction recovery

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine the Values in Action (VIA) character strengths profile of people in addiction recovery, to identify which strengths are meaningfully represented in this population. This was compared with the generalised profile of a normative population to identify the differentiating features. Reasons for the profile variance and the significance this has for addiction recovery have also been explored.Design/methodology/approachAn independent group design was adopted using purposive sampling. This saw participants (n = 100) complete the VIA Inventory of Strengths-P assessment to establish a character strengths profile for people in addiction recovery. To identify the differences in this profile, a mean score and rank order comparison was conducted, using data taken from a normative population. Additional exploratory analysis was conducted to establish if there were any significant differences in the character strength profile of males and females.FindingsIn descending order, the top five ranked strengths were kindness, humour, honesty, fairness and teamwork. The lesser five strengths in the profile were spirituality, zest, perseverance, prudence and self-regulation. A distinguishing feature was the presence of humour as a top five strength for people in addiction recovery. The existence of teamwork also deviated from the generalised normative population. There were two strengths shown to have a meaningfully higher score for females, teamwork and love. This did not change the strengths present in the overall top five for males or females, however.Originality/valueThis study contributes useful knowledge to the understanding of character strengths in addiction recovery. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first time character strengths have been examined in a sample of people in addiction recovery.

Educators Describe the "Best Things" About Students with Autism at School.

This study examined educators' descriptions of the positive character traits of students with autism spectrum disorder at ages 7-8 and 10-11, using an adapted version of the Values in Action (VIA) Classification of Strengths. The most commonly endorsed strengths at both age intervals were kindness, specific skills, self-regulation, and perseverance. Higher scores for challenging behavior were associated with a lower likelihood of endorsement for Happiness and Courage traits. Higher autism symptom severity scores were associated with a lower likelihood of endorsement for Courage traits. Few significant differences were found for endorsement of trait categories by students' educational placement or the type of curriculum they received. Results may have implications for student-teacher relationships, educational assessments, and school-based interventions that emphasize strengths and resilience.

A qualitative analysis of virtues and strengths in persons living with early stage dementia informed by the values in action framework.

Despite evidence that individuals' virtues and character strengths can contribute to a sense of fulfillment, the majority of dementia research focuses on losses and decline. To date, virtues and character strengths in persons living with dementia is an understudied phenomena. This study begins to addresses this gap in the literature. The objectives of this study were to: (1) examine the expression of virtues and character strengths in persons living with dementia in the early stages; and (2) share implications and recommendations for strengths-based clinical practice and future research. Qualitative data was utilized to examine virtues and character strengths among persons living with dementia. This data was derived from semi-structured interviews with 25 persons living with dementia age 65 or older (average age of 77.88). The interviews were audio recorded with consent, professionally transcribed, audit checked, and subjected to Interpretive Phenomenological analysis which was informed by the Values in Action (VIA) framework. Each of the virtues and 24 corresponding character strengths from the VIA framework were observed in this sample. The most frequently observed character strengths were love, spirituality, perseverance, and gratitude. Persons with dementia continue to express virtues and character strengths in the context of cognitive and functional changes. Positive strengths-based research and clinical practice should highlight and build upon these individual virtues and character strengths.

Further validation of the 18-item Portuguese CompACT scale using a multi-sample design: Confirmatory factor analysis and correlates of psychological flexibility

An 18-item Portuguese-language version of the CompACT scale has recently been proposed for the Portuguese population. This study aims at conducting the first Confirmatory Factor Analysis of the Portuguese CompACT in participants from two different samples (community adults and women in the post-partum period; total N = 1090). Given that the CompACT had yet to be subjected to gender invariance testing, the present study also presents an invariance analysis between male and female community participants. The measurement invariance of the Portuguese CompACT between community and post-partum women was also examined. The current study additionally explored the scale's relationships with theoretically relevant outcomes associated in the literature with psychological flexibility. Results showed that the three-factor correlated model of the Portuguese CompACT was an adequate fit for the data taken from the complete sample, with most items presenting statistically and practically significant loading values. The Portuguese CompACT presented acceptable to good internal consistencies for all factors - Openness to Experience (OE), Behavioral Awareness (BA), and Valued Action (VA). Full measurement invariance was found, with results further indicating that community women presented lower scores in BA than community men, and that women in the post-partum period scored higher than community women in BA and VA, and lower in OE. The three subscales of the Portuguese CompACT, that underpin the overarching construct of psychological flexibility, demonstrated different patterns of association from one another with various aspects of individual functioning. Although those associations were in the expected directions with flexibility being associated with lower distress, some forms of psychological flexibility assessed by the Portuguese CompACT were not significantly associated with measures of positive affect or resilience. This result underscores the difficulty of measuring psychological flexibility as a single construct, as it comprises a number of sub-component processes. Further implications of findings are discussed.

Personal strengths (VIA model) among teachers of different generations

This article describes the relationship between the expression of 24 personality strengths (in the VIA model) and age-related affiliation in teachers. The actuality and novelty of this study is the use of innovative methodological apparatus in the paradigm of generational research. The aim of the article is to study the correlation between the teachers’ age group and the expression of personality strengths in the VIA (Values in Action) model, one of the key models in the framework of positive psychology research area. The study was participated by educators from different regions, the age of the respondents was 18–75 years, the study group of respondents totaled N = 7938. The research shows the dynamics of changes in personality strengths depending on the generation of teachers. The personality strengths that are best described by generational changes are also presented, such as: love, spirituality, love of learning, gratitude, sense of humor, prosocial activity. The difference in the expression of personality strengths depending on the age of teachers was revealed. Using statistical analysis, it was found that teachers born between 1970 and 1979 have a significant “statistical slump” in the scales of curiosity, breadth of vision, courage. In some cases, “statistical drawdown” of “Spirituality” scale value is observed for the generation 1992–2002 in comparison with other generations. Also, the codrop of the 1992–2002 generation and the 1980–1991 generation was discovered to be: “Love for Learning”, “Kindness”, “Humility”, “Forgiveness”, “Gratitude” and “Prosocial Activity”. The presented model is an important step in the study of the interrelationships of 24 personality strengths in the context of the professional characteristics of the individual. With the help of the results of this study, it is possible to evaluate approaches to stimulating the personal potential of teachers of different ages. In the future, it is possible to study generational differences using the VIA model in other professional areas as well.

Virtues and Character Strengths in Persons with Mild Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias

Ample research suggests that musical interventions have the potential to boost social connection, engender positive emotions, and potentially buffer against depression in people with dementia (PwD). Here, our focus concerns expanding the present body of knowledge by quantifying the benefits of a music-based nonpharmacological intervention. The Voices in Motion (ViM) choir is an intergenerational sociocognitive lifestyle intervention designed to support caregivers and PwD. Over the course of 18 months, the well-being of PwD and caregiver dyads (N = 32; mean age = 79.6 years; 53% female) were rigorously assessed using an intensive repeated measures design. This project set out to determine whether positive change in the social dimensions of health (i.e., social connection [SC] and psychological well-being [WB]) ameliorates depression in PwD. Multilevel modeling was employed to examine longitudinal change within and between individuals. SC significantly predicted intraindividual change (□20 = -0.48, p =.03), with a predictive trend for between person differences (□00 = -0.58, p =.08). On occasions when PwD reported more SC, relative to their own baseline, they also reported fewer depressive symptoms. The effect associated with WB was significant at the between-person level (□00 = -0.18, p =.01). Our analysis suggests that a lifestyle intervention targeting psychological health and wellbeing may also contribute to the depressive signs and symptoms in PwD. As the current health care system is forced to adapt to social distancing and constant precautionary measures, it is crucial to understand and potentially harness the protective effects of modifiable lifestyle factors.

DÉPORVIDA: a character strengths positive intervention among young soccer players

In recent years, various intervention programs have been developed to enhance the quality of life of young athletes. This is particularly important for those who live in residences of professional clubs, far from their families. In this regard, we designed a positive psychology intervention program called “DÉPORVIDA”, aimed at enhancing character strengths. To assess the efficacy of this 8-week intervention, we tested 28 young soccer players from a Spanish professional club. The intervention program used a strength-based approach from the values in action (VIA) model, and was conducted by club employees with formal academic education. Data were analysed using a set of 2 × 2 (intervention × time) mixed design ANOVAs. Results revealed different trends for the intervention and the control groups participants for seasonal performance satisfaction and percentage of time feeling happy/unhappy, highlighting consistent changes in the desired direction. Overall, the results indicate that the DÉPORVIDA program is a useful tool to promote positive development in young athletes.

Revisiting the hierarchical structure of the 24 VIA character strengths: Three global dimensions may suffice to capture their essence

The Values in Action (VIA) framework maps 24 character strengths onto six more abstract virtues through a theoretical classification. However, compared to other individual difference constructs, there is little consensus about the factor-analytic structure of the VIA trait space. Applying Horn’s parallel analysis, Goldberg’s Bass-ackwards approach, and cross-country congruency analysis, we scrutinize the factor-analytic solutions-hierarchy of the 24 VIA strengths with the aim to identify one or more useful global levels of abstraction (akin to the Big Five, HEXACO/Big Six, or personality metatraits). We assessed the 24 character strengths with the psychometrically refined IPIP-VIA-R inventory in two large and heterogeneous samples from Germany and the UK (total N ≈ 2,000). Results suggested that three global dimensions suffice to capture the essence of character strengths: Level III recovered more than 50% of the total variation of the 24 character strengths in well-interpretable, global/general, cross-culturally replicable dimensions. We provisionally labeled them positivity, dependability, and mastery. Their superordinate Level-II-dimensions were reminiscent of the “Big Two” personality metatraits Dynamism and Social Self-Regulation. Our results advance the understanding of the VIA character trait space and may serve as a basis for developing scales to assess these global dimensions.

Virtues, Resilience, and Well-Being of Indigenous Youth in Peru

Objectives: The objective of this study was to observe the relation of Values In Action (VIA) virtues, well-being, and resilience within a unique, non-Western population of Indigenous youth in the Peruvian Amazon.Methods: Data were collected from students (n = 172, age range: 11-16 years) attending a rural village school via self-report surveys to assess relationships using the VIA Youth-96 (VIA-Y-96) Assessment, Personal Wellbeing Index (PWI-A), and the Child and Youth Resilience Measure (CYRM-28).Results: The factor analysis of the CYRM-28 yielded a 3-factor breakdown (Social Engagement, Cultural Citizenship, and Guidance) instead of eight. Different VIA virtues predicted each of the three factors of the revised 3-factor CYRM-21-Peru model (CYRM-21-P); Transcendence, Humanity, and Wisdom were predictors of well-being; and higher reported resilience leads to higher well-being. Most participants scored very high on the PWI-A.Implications: Research presented in this paper involved a unique population of Indigenous youth residing in the Peruvian Amazon, and found that (a) VIA virtues were differentially associated with well-being, (b) Humanity was a significant predictor across Cultural Citizenship and Social Engagement in the revised CYRM-21-P, and (c) higher resilience was correlated with higher well-being. Implications of this research can be used to inspire future research of Indigenous populations in a Latin American context to develop youth development programs that teach students from a strength-based perspective to improve vocational, academic, psychological, and social well-being.

There is virtue in mindfulness: The relationship between the mindfulness manifold, virtues, and eudemonic wellbeing

This correlational study of 346 college students examined how mindfulness (broadly construed as a manifold of self-awareness, self-regulation, and self-transcendence) is related to the three Values in Action (VIA) virtues (inquisitiveness, caring, and self-control) and to eudemonic wellbeing (personal growth, self-acceptance, purpose in life, and positive relationships). The mindfulness manifold explained between 6% and 16% of variance in virtues over and beyond the effects of the Big Five personality traits and gender. The virtue most strongly explained by mindfulness was inquisitiveness. Mindfulness and virtues had strong effects on eudemonic wellbeing; mindfulness related to most aspects of wellbeing, whereas virtues showed more specific relationships (inquisitiveness with personal growth; caring with self-acceptance and positive relationships; self-control with purpose in life and self-acceptance). All variables combined explained between 46% and 62% of the total variance in eudemonic wellbeing. There was little evidence that the virtues mediated the effects of mindfulness on eudemonic wellbeing, suggesting that mindfulness and virtue each have unique (and thus additive) contributions to eudemonic wellbeing. Mindfulness aspects most strongly associated with virtue and wellbeing were self-awareness and self-transcendence.

Позитивно-психологический подход как фактор стимулирования психологического благополучия и редуцирования рисков профессионального выгорания педагога

The article presents the results of our study of personal potential and personality traits of teachers. The study focused on the ways of preventing professional burnout and maintaining and increasing psychological well-being. There are a large number of approaches to describing personality traits and their relation to one’s profession. However, the positive psychology’s approaches to describing personality within the professional sphere are, in our opinion, insufficiently presented in the available Russian literature. This article aims to establish interconnections between the concept of Values in Action (VIA) and personal indicators of the psychological well-being of an individual. The psychological well-being is examined based on life satisfaction, self-esteem, self-efficiency, professional burnout and a number of socio-demographic indicators in a sample of Russian teachers. The study aimed to identify the general level of psychological well-being and professional burnout of teachers in Russia, test the relevance of using the positive psychological concept of VIA as a research tool for describing personality in the professional sphere, and establish relationships between certain strengths of the personality of teachers, their psychological well-being and professional burnout. The study involved 7946 teachers (7466 women, 480 men) from seven regions of Russia. The following methods were included in the questionnaire: “Life Satisfaction Scale”; “Self-Esteem Scale”; “Scale of General Self-Efficiency”; “Professional Burnout”; “Values in Action — Inventory of Strength”. The study revealed that there is a need to stimulate the psychological well-being of teachers—in particular, by providing teachers with training in how to reduce professional burnout. The VIA concept and the positive psychology’s approach were shown to be effective and relevant tools for studying the issues described above. The study also established specific relationships between certain strengths of the personality, psychological well-being and professional burnout of teachers in Russia.

Personal strength in the “VIA” model as a predictor of a teacher’s well-being in the professional sphere

This article examines the “predictive model of personal well-being of a teacher in the professional sphere” developed by the authors based on a study conducted on a wide sample of teachers in the Russian Federation (N=7946). The presented model is based on the VIA (Values in Action) model, one of the key measures in the scientific direction of positive psychology. In the course of the study, 14 personal strengths out of 24 in the original model, which have the greatest multiplier effect of usefulness for personal well-being in the professional sphere of education were identified. Personal well-being in the professional sphere is described as a set of personal factors, including, first of all, high self-efficacy of the individual and the absence of professional burnout, and secondly, the individual’s general psychological well-being represented by life satisfaction and self-esteem. The authors believe that the resulting model can become an effective tool for the practical application of the concepts of positive psychology. On the one hand, it can be applied in the field of vocational guidance of young people. On the other hand, the model can be used as a tool for the development of professional competence of teachers in the field of personal well-being in the professional sphere, for example, in the form of selecting the most effective positive psychological interventions (PPI). The authors con clude that in the future, it is possible to scale the presented concept to other professional areas.

Social Intelligence and Psychological Distress: Subjective and Psychological Well-Being as Mediators.

The strength named “social intelligence” in the Values in Action (VIA) Classification of Character Strengths and Virtues represents emotional, personal, and social intelligences, which are considered “hot intelligences”. This work contributed to the study of the mechanisms of influence of social intelligence on mental health. A multiple mediation model was proposed to quantify the direct effect of social intelligence on psychopathological symptoms, as well as its indirect effect through its impact on components of subjective and psychological well-being. This study involved 1407 university students who completed the Values in Action Inventory of Strengths (VIA-IS), the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS), the Psychological Well-Being Scales (PWBS), and the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R). Social intelligence was found to be significantly associated with life satisfaction (a = 0.33, p < 0.001), positive affect (a = 0.42, p < 0.001), and negative affect (a = −0.21, p < 0.001), transmitting significant indirect effects on psychopathological symptomatology through these components of subjective well-being. Likewise, social intelligence was positively and significantly related to psychological well-being (a-paths ranged from 0.31 to 0.43, p < 0.001), exerting significant and negative indirect effects on psychological distress through the dimension of positive relations with other people. These results could be useful in order to expand the explanatory models of the influence of social intelligence on mental health and to design interventions based on this strength for the promotion of well-being and the reduction in psychological distress.

Character Strengths and Virtues of Mentor Teachers

Trainee and beginner teachers are introduced to the internal world of the school by mentor teachers, who also support their young colleagues during their process of socialisation as teachers. Mentor teachers provide beginners with advice and suggestions as well as professional and personal support and models. Mentors are faced with a variety of expectations. In our study, we used the Values-In-Action (VIA) questionnaire to find out what strengths and virtues mentor teachers have. It is important to make mentors aware of their own strengths for several reasons. If they can apply these in their teaching work, it can become a calling and they can be fulfilled by it as well as be protected against burnout.

An Investigation of the Character Strengths and Resilience of Future Military Leaders

Introduction: The importance of both character and resilience for critical occupations (military, emergency medicine, first responders, and correctional officers) has been emphasized at the highest levels of military leadership. No studies to date have examined the relationship between character strengths and resilience within military populations. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the perceived importance of character strengths for Canadian military cadet success, the top strengths endorsed by cadets, and, in a subset of cadets, the relationships among core strengths and resilience. In line with previous research on character strengths in military populations, we predicted that bravery, honesty, perseverance, and teamwork might be included in the five most frequent signature strengths. Methods: A total of 360 Naval/Officer Cadets from a Canadian Military College were invited to participate in a study during two training sessions. Participants (n = 153) first completed a survey comprised of a resilience measure and demographic items. Then, one month later, students (n=134) were asked to complete a Values in Action (VIA) character strengths profile, and a survey with questions related to character strengths (their personal top-five character strengths, and strengths they believed were important for military-related stressors and leadership, academic success, resilience, and completion of military challenge). We were only able to match responses for a subset of participants, allowing a final sample of 94 participants. Results: Findings indicated that military cadets consider perseverance, judgment, teamwork, perspective, and self-regulation to be most critical for bouncing back from stressors. However, in line with our predictions, the most frequently endorsed strengths that characterized cadets were bravery, honesty, and perseverance. Finally, perseverance (p = .029), bravery (p = .01), and humor = .01) were positively correlated with cadet resilience, while endorsement of love was negatively correlated with resilience (p = .002). Conclusion: Focus on character strengths in military cadets can enhance academic and physical performance. Resilience assessment could be important for the purposes of military selection, performance, and well-being. Our findings indicate perseverance, bravery, and humor in particular might be relevant indicators of cadet resilience.