Testing the contribution of general factor of character strengths to well-being: An exploratory bifactor approach

Empirical evidence demonstrated the significant contributions of character strengths to wellbeing. However, the co- or non-existence of a general factor (G-factor) of good character and the specific factors (S-factors) of character strengths (i.e., inquisitiveness, caring, and self-control) remain debatable. A total of 1866 individuals from Mainland China completed the Three-dimensional Inventory of Character Strengths (TICS), of which a sub-sample (N = 498) also completed the additional Flourishing Scale. The bifactor Exploratory Structural Equation Model (bifactor-ESEM) were tested, results showed the bifactor-ESEM model of character strengths had excellent goodness-of-fit. G-factor and the S-factors were well defined by the presence of strong and significant target loadings. The G-factor and S-factors’ contribution to wellbeing were further examined through ESEM-within-CFA (EwC) method. The G-factor significantly explained the 50.3% variance of wellbeing when it was the sole predictor and remained significant when inquisitiveness, caring, and self-control factors were considered. The present study confirmed the G-factor of character strengths and its significant contribution to wellbeing. Future studies can develop clinical and non-clinical wellbeing enhancement interventions with a focus on general and specific character strengths that transcend the current signature-strengths paradigm.