Character strengths, sociodemographic characteristics, and life satisfaction in Mexican students [Fortalezas del carácter, características sociodemográficas y satisfacción con la vida en estudiantes mexicanos]

Abstract

The main purpose of this study was to identify the existing relationship between character strengths and life satisfaction, as well as some sociodemographic aspects related to gender differences. Both the Virtue and Strength Inventory (IVYF; Cosentino & Castro, 2008) and the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS; Diener, Emmons, Larsen & Griffin, 1985) were administered to 343 undergraduate students whose primary major of study pertained to health professions. Results indicated that for women, love and gratitude are the strengths that explained 21.3 % of the variance regarding satisfaction with life, while love and social intelligence predicted 44.5 % of life satisfaction for men. Results are discussed under the light of cultural differences.