Character strengths as universal predictors of health? Using machine learning to examine the predictive validity of character strengths across cultures

Abstract

Character strengths are positive personality traits that not only define our core identity, but also yield positive effects for us and those around us. Psychological research has often been focused on health risk factors, disregarding the potential of positive resources when aiming to influence health trajectories. Using a sample of 4,830 adults from five countries, we examined the validity of character strengths for the prediction of 12 health-related indicators (e.g., feeling anxious or healthy dieting) across two levels of measurement (items vs. scales), modeling approaches (multiple regression vs. machine learning algorithms), and cultural contexts. Predictive performances ranged between R2 =.02 for physical health and.28 for mental health. Character strength items rarely out-predicted their overarching scales. Regularization enhanced predictive performance, but the results did not point to substantial nonlinear or interaction effects. Cultural context proved an important moderator of the association between character strengths and health indicators.