Page 145 - Ana Kozina and Nora Wiium, eds. ▪︎ Positive Youth Development in Contexts. Ljubljana: Educational Research Institute, 2021. Digital Library, Dissertationes (Scientific Monographs), 42.
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char acter strengths of first-year student teachers and the 5 cs ...
Teamwork can be useful for promoting the Competence and Connection
of first-year students. The character strength of Teamwork, defined as “a
feeling of identification with and a sense of obligation to a common good
that includes the self but stretches beyond one’s own self-interest” (Peterson
& Seligman, 2004, p. 370) was identified by the students as important for
both academic competence (e.g. collaborating on team projects at univer-
sity) and vocational competence (e.g. working with diverse co-workers at
work in the future). Its role in Competence is illustratively described here:
“Work [in teams] is easier and the results are better”. The important role of
teamwork was also shown in relation to Connection, mainly in students’ in-
volvement in various organisations (the institutional level of Connection).
Humour was identified as a character strength able to promote the
Competence and Connection of students. This character strength describes
the ability to make others smile or laugh and involves a light-hearted out-
look on adversity (Peterson & Seligman, 2004). The students recognised
that “humour can help [them] resolve conflict because it makes a situation
less tense and can provide a new perspective on the problem” and thereby
positively impacts their Competence. In terms of Connection, humour
“adds a special touch to relationships”, creates a positive atmosphere, with
this positively impacting relationships on both individual and organisa-
tional levels.
Gratitude was found to be important for promoting Confidence and
Caring, and Spirituality for promoting Confidence. Gratitude has been de-
fined as a “sense of thankfulness and joy in response to receiving a gift”
(Peterson & Seligman, 2004, p. 554), which may be a tangible benefit from
another person or a moment of special, peaceful bliss. We feel and express
gratitude when we value something or someone and feel a sense of good-
will toward that person or thing. Spirituality refers to “beliefs and practices
that there is a transcendent (nonphysical) dimension of life” that influence
“the kinds of attributions people make, the meanings they construct, and
the ways they conduct relationships” (Peterson & Seligman, 2004, p. 600).
Students described how Gratitude helps them appreciate more of what they
have – their possessions, qualities, loving relationships, opportunities in
life, acts of kindness they receive from others – with all of this impacting
their Confidence and Caring. Spirituality, in contrast, helps them find their
calling and purpose, making their lives meaningful and them feel worthy.
Judgement, Self-regulation and Prudence are important for promot-
ing Character. Lerner (2007) highlights that people of character know the
145
Teamwork can be useful for promoting the Competence and Connection
of first-year students. The character strength of Teamwork, defined as “a
feeling of identification with and a sense of obligation to a common good
that includes the self but stretches beyond one’s own self-interest” (Peterson
& Seligman, 2004, p. 370) was identified by the students as important for
both academic competence (e.g. collaborating on team projects at univer-
sity) and vocational competence (e.g. working with diverse co-workers at
work in the future). Its role in Competence is illustratively described here:
“Work [in teams] is easier and the results are better”. The important role of
teamwork was also shown in relation to Connection, mainly in students’ in-
volvement in various organisations (the institutional level of Connection).
Humour was identified as a character strength able to promote the
Competence and Connection of students. This character strength describes
the ability to make others smile or laugh and involves a light-hearted out-
look on adversity (Peterson & Seligman, 2004). The students recognised
that “humour can help [them] resolve conflict because it makes a situation
less tense and can provide a new perspective on the problem” and thereby
positively impacts their Competence. In terms of Connection, humour
“adds a special touch to relationships”, creates a positive atmosphere, with
this positively impacting relationships on both individual and organisa-
tional levels.
Gratitude was found to be important for promoting Confidence and
Caring, and Spirituality for promoting Confidence. Gratitude has been de-
fined as a “sense of thankfulness and joy in response to receiving a gift”
(Peterson & Seligman, 2004, p. 554), which may be a tangible benefit from
another person or a moment of special, peaceful bliss. We feel and express
gratitude when we value something or someone and feel a sense of good-
will toward that person or thing. Spirituality refers to “beliefs and practices
that there is a transcendent (nonphysical) dimension of life” that influence
“the kinds of attributions people make, the meanings they construct, and
the ways they conduct relationships” (Peterson & Seligman, 2004, p. 600).
Students described how Gratitude helps them appreciate more of what they
have – their possessions, qualities, loving relationships, opportunities in
life, acts of kindness they receive from others – with all of this impacting
their Confidence and Caring. Spirituality, in contrast, helps them find their
calling and purpose, making their lives meaningful and them feel worthy.
Judgement, Self-regulation and Prudence are important for promot-
ing Character. Lerner (2007) highlights that people of character know the
145
