NCJ Number
216567
Journal
Journal of Adolescence Volume: 29 Issue: 6 Dated: December 2006 Pages: 891-909
Date Published
December 2006
Length
19 pages
Annotation
This article describes the development of the Values in Action Inventory of Strengths for Youth (VIA-Youth) and presents results of a validation study.
Abstract
Results indicated that the VIA-Youth demonstrated both reliability and validity. Current findings revealed that different character strengths were associated with different developmental stages. VIA-Youth assessed 24 different aspects of character strengths, which allowed for a comparative psychological analysis of character strengths at different developmental stages. Moreover, the VIA-Youth allowed both intra-individual comparisons in character strength as well as comparisons across different individuals. The VIA-Youth subscales were found to be compatible with the Big Five scheme of basic personality traits. Validation of the VIA-Youth, which is a self-report survey, involved the administration of the VIA-Youth to approximately 1,300 youth between the ages of 10 to 17 years in middle schools and high schools in 7 States (Alabama, California, Nebraska, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Texas). The VIA-Youth was also placed online where it was completed by 736 youth between the ages of 10 to 17 years. Participants completed a series of additional measures assessing life satisfaction, achievement, popularity, social skills, psychopathology, and parent-child strengths. Data were analyzed to test for internal consistency, stability of character strengths, convergent validity, and construct validity. Limitations of the study are discussed and include its reliance on self-report measures. Future research should use longitudinal analyses to clarify the change process and stability of the core components of good character. Tables, footnotes, references