Interventions based on signature strengths are effective for increasing well-being (see Schutte & Malouff, 2018). However, these interventions often include multiple components, including getting to know the VIA classification of strengths, learning about one’s own strengths, and applying them in a new way. So far, little information is available on what components of these interventions are effective for increasing well-being, and whether changes in the application of strengths might explain these increases.
In a randomized online study we assigned N = 162 adults to five different conditions: (1) Learning about the VIA classification and applying it to other people; (2) observing one’s own application of signature strengths; (3) applying one’s own strengths in a new way; (4) forming a strengths-based habit; (5) or a placebo control condition (early memories). We assessed well-being and applying strengths before the one-week intervention, and 2 weeks, 4 weeks, and 12 weeks afterwards.
Results suggest that well-being increased in all conditions except for the placebo control condition, while these increases were accompanied by increased application of strengths. Thus, this is the first study to shed light on possible working mechanisms of strengths-based interventions and lays the ground for compiling a multi-component program on character strengths.