Page 141 - Ana Kozina and Nora Wiium, eds. ▪︎ Positive Youth Development in Contexts. Ljubljana: Educational Research Institute, 2021. Digital Library, Dissertationes (Scientific Monographs), 42.
P. 141
char acter strengths of first-year student teachers and the 5 cs ...
Caring
Caring refers to developing or fostering one’s empathy and caring for oth-
ers. Students responded that the following character strengths play an
important role in feeling and showing empathy: Kindness (61.5%), Love
(52.3%), Social intelligence, and Gratitude (both 19.2%), Fairness (18.5%), and
Forgiveness (15.4%). Judgement, Love of learning, Bravery and Leadership
were not mentioned in relation to Caring (Table 2).
The role of Kindness in developing empathy was evident: “We must al-
ways be kind to a person – even if we know someone very well, we never know
the whole story”. Students are aware of the importance of “respecting oth-
ers, being kind and understanding”, “listening to another person, helping”.
The character strength of Love was also regarded as significant for em-
pathy: “Love is necessary to show caring and promote empathy because you
need love to care about people and their mental health. Love also allows you
to get to know a person and build an emotional connection with him or her”.
According to the students, the character strength of Social intelligence
plays an important role in fostering empathy because it helps us “see the
motives of others’ actions, understand them better, and consider what we
would do in a similar situation”.
In addition, the role of Gratitude was recognised: “We must always
be grateful for being surrounded by loving people and helping those who are
not”.
Connection
The students were asked which character strengths help them build and
maintain positive relationships with others on an individual and institu-
tional level. With regard to Connection, they identified Kindness (56.9%),
Love (46.2%), Humour (32.3%), Fairness (29.2%) and Teamwork (28.5%) as
the most important character strengths. Prudence (3.1%), Self-regulation
and Spirituality (both 1.5%) were the least mentioned character strengths
related to Connection (Table 2).
The role of Kindness in relation to Connection was described as “mak-
ing others feel comfortable around [us] when [we are] kind” and helping rela-
tionships to improve: “People appreciate it when you are there for them and
are willing to help them; this builds good relationships”.
141
Caring
Caring refers to developing or fostering one’s empathy and caring for oth-
ers. Students responded that the following character strengths play an
important role in feeling and showing empathy: Kindness (61.5%), Love
(52.3%), Social intelligence, and Gratitude (both 19.2%), Fairness (18.5%), and
Forgiveness (15.4%). Judgement, Love of learning, Bravery and Leadership
were not mentioned in relation to Caring (Table 2).
The role of Kindness in developing empathy was evident: “We must al-
ways be kind to a person – even if we know someone very well, we never know
the whole story”. Students are aware of the importance of “respecting oth-
ers, being kind and understanding”, “listening to another person, helping”.
The character strength of Love was also regarded as significant for em-
pathy: “Love is necessary to show caring and promote empathy because you
need love to care about people and their mental health. Love also allows you
to get to know a person and build an emotional connection with him or her”.
According to the students, the character strength of Social intelligence
plays an important role in fostering empathy because it helps us “see the
motives of others’ actions, understand them better, and consider what we
would do in a similar situation”.
In addition, the role of Gratitude was recognised: “We must always
be grateful for being surrounded by loving people and helping those who are
not”.
Connection
The students were asked which character strengths help them build and
maintain positive relationships with others on an individual and institu-
tional level. With regard to Connection, they identified Kindness (56.9%),
Love (46.2%), Humour (32.3%), Fairness (29.2%) and Teamwork (28.5%) as
the most important character strengths. Prudence (3.1%), Self-regulation
and Spirituality (both 1.5%) were the least mentioned character strengths
related to Connection (Table 2).
The role of Kindness in relation to Connection was described as “mak-
ing others feel comfortable around [us] when [we are] kind” and helping rela-
tionships to improve: “People appreciate it when you are there for them and
are willing to help them; this builds good relationships”.
141
