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Strengths of character, orientations to happiness, life satisfaction and purpose in Singapore*

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 May 2015

Janice Niann Tsyr Lee ,
Koong Hean Foo ,
Austin Adams ,
Robert Morgan  and
Amie Frewen
Janice Niann Tsyr Lee*
Affiliation:
The Centre for Psychology, Singapore
Koong Hean Foo
Affiliation:
James Cook University
Austin Adams
Affiliation:
James Cook University
Robert Morgan
Affiliation:
Morgan Foundation Publishers, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
Amie Frewen
Affiliation:
James Cook University
*
address for correspondence: Janice Lee Niann Tsyr, The Centre for Psychology 491B, River Valley Road #04-01 Valley Point, Singapore248373. Email: jlee@center4psy.com
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Abstract

Positive psychology has identified six virtues comprising 24 character strengths of humans. This study examines the relationships among these character strengths, including Happiness, Life Purpose and Life Satisfaction as valued by Singapore Chinese, Malays, Indians and Other Asians and Caucasians. A sample of Singapore adults (N = 304) completed an online survey in English comprising four measures, the Values in Action Inventory of Strengths, the Orientations to Happiness Scale, the Satisfaction with Life Scale and the Life Engagement Test. Results show that Zest, Hope, Curiosity, Capacity to Love and Gratitude are the top five character strengths of the sampled Singaporeans. Happiness orientation through pursuing a Life of Meaning is preferred by all four ethnic groups. Ethnic differences are found for character strengths of Kindness, Humour, Gratitude, and Religiousness and Spirituality. Life of Meaning and Life of Engagement, Happiness orientations and character strengths of Curiosity and Perseverance are direct predictors of Life Purpose. In turn, Life Purpose and character strengths of Capacity to Love and Gratitude are found to be direct predictors of Life Satisfaction. Despite its other limitations, this study lays the groundwork for future studies using more robust sampling strategies and greater participation from the major ethnic groups in Singapore.

Keywords

Strengths of CharacterHappinessLife SatisfactionSingaporeEthnic groups
Type
Articles
Information
Journal of Tropical Psychology , Volume 5 , 2015 , e2
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s) 2015 

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Footnotes

*

This research was approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee and sponsored by James Cook University.

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