Page 127 - Ana Kozina and Nora Wiium, eds. ▪︎ Positive Youth Development in Contexts. Ljubljana: Educational Research Institute, 2021. Digital Library, Dissertationes (Scientific Monographs), 42.
P. 127
https://w w w.doi.org/10.32320/978-961-270-341-7.127-150
Character strengths of first-year student
teachers and the 5 Cs of the Positive Youth
Development framework: A mixed-methods
study
Polona Gradišek
Faculty of Education, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia
Abstract
The Positive Psychology and Positive Youth Development frameworks con-
ceptually overlap noticeably, such as their orientation to a thriving continu-
um, yet they vary in certain respects like their theoretical backgrounds and
focus on different populations. The VIA (Values in Action) Classification
of character strengths and virtues constitutes an important research topic
in positive psychology. Character strengths are defined as positive person-
ality traits that are morally valuable; they can be systematically developed
and contribute to various positive outcomes. The theoretical framework of
Positive Youth Development is operationalised by the 5 Cs: Competence,
Confidence, Character, Caring and Connection. The aim of the study was
to examine the relationship between character strengths and the 5 Cs of the
Positive Youth Development framework given that this relationship has yet
to be studied empirically. The sample consisted of 130 first-year Slovenian
student teachers, mostly female (just 2 males). The participants’ average age
was 19.51 years. First-year students face two distinct transitions (develop-
mental and educational), meaning they need support during this period.
Mixed-methods were used in the study; quantitative (correlational analy-
sis) and qualitative analysis (content analysis of students’ written respons-
es to open-ended questions). The results show that 12 out of 24 character
strengths relate to the 5 Cs: Love, Kindness, Fairness, Teamwork, Humour,
Gratitude, Spirituality, Judgement, Self-regulation, Prudence, Perseverance
127
Character strengths of first-year student
teachers and the 5 Cs of the Positive Youth
Development framework: A mixed-methods
study
Polona Gradišek
Faculty of Education, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia
Abstract
The Positive Psychology and Positive Youth Development frameworks con-
ceptually overlap noticeably, such as their orientation to a thriving continu-
um, yet they vary in certain respects like their theoretical backgrounds and
focus on different populations. The VIA (Values in Action) Classification
of character strengths and virtues constitutes an important research topic
in positive psychology. Character strengths are defined as positive person-
ality traits that are morally valuable; they can be systematically developed
and contribute to various positive outcomes. The theoretical framework of
Positive Youth Development is operationalised by the 5 Cs: Competence,
Confidence, Character, Caring and Connection. The aim of the study was
to examine the relationship between character strengths and the 5 Cs of the
Positive Youth Development framework given that this relationship has yet
to be studied empirically. The sample consisted of 130 first-year Slovenian
student teachers, mostly female (just 2 males). The participants’ average age
was 19.51 years. First-year students face two distinct transitions (develop-
mental and educational), meaning they need support during this period.
Mixed-methods were used in the study; quantitative (correlational analy-
sis) and qualitative analysis (content analysis of students’ written respons-
es to open-ended questions). The results show that 12 out of 24 character
strengths relate to the 5 Cs: Love, Kindness, Fairness, Teamwork, Humour,
Gratitude, Spirituality, Judgement, Self-regulation, Prudence, Perseverance
127
