Within the broader context of the Anthropocene, this chapter primarily examines the balanced use of character strengths, focusing on the interplay between underuse, optimal use, and overuse. Rooted in the Real Challenges of the Anthropocene and Aristotle’s Principle of the “Golden Mean,” it traces the evolution of theoretical frameworks and measurement tools, while noting the limitations of traditional assessments such as the VIA-IS in distinguishing balanced from imbalanced use. To address these gaps, the Golden Mean Inventory (GMI) was introduced to measure strength application across multiple life contexts. Building on this foundation, the chapter presents the development of the Balanced-Goal Three-dimensional Inventory of Character Strengths (B-G-TICS), a tool designed for Chinese clinical populations, particularly cancer patients, aiming to strengthen their mental resilience in challenging and complex settings. The B-G-TICS integrates a three-dimensional structure of character strengths: Caring, Inquisitiveness, and Self-control, with a focus on goal pursuit, a domain that is highly relevant for cancer survivors during rehabilitation. Using a sample of 1,914 participants, the scale demonstrated excellent internal consistency and a stable three-factor structure, as confirmed by confirmatory factor analysis. It showed strong criterion-related validity, with balanced strength use positively associated with quality of life and post-traumatic growth and negatively related to maladaptive coping strategies. The results highlight the crucial importance of the balanced use of character strengths in fostering psychological resilience and supporting overall well-being. Additionally, they offer individuals more tailored and context-sensitive strategies to navigate the complex challenges of the Anthropocene.

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The Balanced Using of Character Strengths: Insights From Practical Intervention Programs and an Exploratory Study

  • Wenjie Duan,
  • Siyi Chen,
  • Ziqian Ma,
  • Zichuan Wang

摘要

Within the broader context of the Anthropocene, this chapter primarily examines the balanced use of character strengths, focusing on the interplay between underuse, optimal use, and overuse. Rooted in the Real Challenges of the Anthropocene and Aristotle’s Principle of the “Golden Mean,” it traces the evolution of theoretical frameworks and measurement tools, while noting the limitations of traditional assessments such as the VIA-IS in distinguishing balanced from imbalanced use. To address these gaps, the Golden Mean Inventory (GMI) was introduced to measure strength application across multiple life contexts. Building on this foundation, the chapter presents the development of the Balanced-Goal Three-dimensional Inventory of Character Strengths (B-G-TICS), a tool designed for Chinese clinical populations, particularly cancer patients, aiming to strengthen their mental resilience in challenging and complex settings. The B-G-TICS integrates a three-dimensional structure of character strengths: Caring, Inquisitiveness, and Self-control, with a focus on goal pursuit, a domain that is highly relevant for cancer survivors during rehabilitation. Using a sample of 1,914 participants, the scale demonstrated excellent internal consistency and a stable three-factor structure, as confirmed by confirmatory factor analysis. It showed strong criterion-related validity, with balanced strength use positively associated with quality of life and post-traumatic growth and negatively related to maladaptive coping strategies. The results highlight the crucial importance of the balanced use of character strengths in fostering psychological resilience and supporting overall well-being. Additionally, they offer individuals more tailored and context-sensitive strategies to navigate the complex challenges of the Anthropocene.