Abstract

The scope of the current thesis centred around two empirical projects and their underlying investigations. The first part aimed to validate the Qatari version of the Values In Action Inventory of Strengths (VIA-IS). The validation process involved a robust, translation task during which the VIA-IS (English) was translated into Arabic while preserving the linguistic and conceptual equivalence of all items. Next, exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted to reveal the underlying, character strengths dimensions. Findings confirmed the following four factors: Wisdom and knowledge strengths, humanity and justice strengths, embracing life strengths, and emotional strengths. The ultimate phase of the first project was related to examining the correlations between character strengths and indices of wellbeing as measured by the Satisfaction with Life Survey (SWLS) and Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS). The psychometric properties of the VIA-IS were also analysed and associations with measures of wellbeing were assessed. Significant correlations with life satisfaction were noted, and in terms of the relation between character strengths and affective components of wellbeing, all character strengths were found to be significantly and directly related to positive affect. Twenty out of the twenty-four character strengths were significantly related to negative affect. Open-mindedness, modesty, appreciation of beauty and excellence, and humor were not found to be significantly related to negative affect. The second project aimed at assessing the effectiveness of a strengths-based intervention in Counselling contexts. Participants completed the SWLS, the PANAS, and the Global Assessment of Character Strengths. Higher means for the satisfaction with life and positive affect and lower means for the negative affect were noted for participants in the individual intervention sessions as compared to the rest of participants. Participants in individual intervention sessions reported higher scores in satisfaction with life, positive affect, and lower scores in negative affect when compared with their counterparts in the group intervention sessions. Professionals who are interested in translating the VIA-IS into other languages might benefit from considering the methodology used in this research. The character strengths that were revealed in the Qatari context can be the groundwork for developing future research initiatives targeting various aspects of people’s mental health in various contexts. In addition, such findings might motivate other local and regional researchers, professionals, and academicians to begin exploring this topic in their own settings. Finally, the one-on-one counselling interventions could be prioritised for the purpose of enhancing citizens’ wellbeing.