Three-Dimensional Model of Strengths: Examination of Invariance Across Gender, Age, Education Levels, and Marriage Status

Abstract

Strengths are positive qualities that significantly contributed to well-being of individuals and community. Therefore, a reliable and valid measure of strengths for research and practice is needed. The Brief Strengths Scale (BSS) is a newly developed tool for measuring the three-dimensional strengths model (i.e., temperance, intellectual, and interpersonal strength). However, empirical support for the measurement invariance of the BSS has not been obtained. This study examined the three-factor structure of BSS across gender, age, education, and marriage groups in a community sample (n = 375) using multi-group confirmatory factor analysis. After removing one item of each subscale from the original version, the revised model provided a good fit to the data at different subgroups. The revised nine-item BSS indicated that measurement invariance across gender and age groups was achieved. In addition, the measurement was more influenced by social-cultural factors than biological factors.

Measuring character strengths as possible protective factors against suicidal ideation in older Chinese adults: a cross-sectional study

“…"), in diverse populations [24]. The three factors of character strength have been verified in previous studies [21,23,27]. The current 15-item TICS showed sound psychometric characteristics among westerners, easterners, community population, and medical samples.…”

“…The relatively low level of reliability of TICS and BIT may be associated with the briefness of TICS and BIT as the coefficient (e.g., α), which can be strongly affected by the length of the measurements' scale [87]. Using Cronbach's alpha as the indicator may mislead to an impression of poor reliability when using brief scales [27,44]. One previous research using Ryff's Scales of Psychological Wellbeing, which comprises 18 questions for six factors, found that the lowest Cronbach's alpha estimate of one dimension was 0.53 [88].…”

“…The three character strengths are caring (i.e., show of love, care, and gratitude for others), inquisitiveness (i.e., curiosity and passion for creativity), and self-control (i.e., quality of persistence and self-control). The three-dimensional inventory of character strengths (TICS) was developed and validated [25,26] and was successfully applied in various populations, such as undergraduates, community participants, and inpatients [24,27]. This model shows consistency with Asian and Western populations and among people of different gender, age, educational attainment, and marital status categories [27].…”

“…The three-dimensional inventory of character strengths (TICS) was developed and validated [25,26] and was successfully applied in various populations, such as undergraduates, community participants, and inpatients [24,27]. This model shows consistency with Asian and Western populations and among people of different gender, age, educational attainment, and marital status categories [27]. However, the new instrument, TICS, has not been applied in our target population, the elder population.…”

Measuring Character Strengths as Possible Protective Factors against Suicidal Ideation in Older Chinese Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…The relatively low level of reliability of TICS and BIT may be associated with the briefness of TICS and BIT as the coefficient (e.g., α), which can be strongly affected by the length of the measurements' scale [90]. Using Cronbach's alpha as the indicator may mislead to an impression of poor reliability when using brief scales [27,44]. One previous research using Ryff's Scales of Psychological Wellbeing, which comprises 18 questions for six factors, found that the lowest Cronbach's alpha estimate of one dimension was 0.53 [91].…”