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The measurement of character strengths : ideal point versus dominance measurement models
Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2025.
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English |
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Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
2025
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| _version_ | 1867614003135512576 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author | Goosen, Susanna Jacoba |
| author2 | De Bruin, Gideon Pieter |
| author_browse | De Bruin, Gideon Pieter Goosen, Susanna Jacoba |
| author_facet | De Bruin, Gideon Pieter Goosen, Susanna Jacoba |
| author_sort | Goosen, Susanna Jacoba |
| collection | Thesis |
| dc_rights_str_mv | Stellenbosch University |
| description | Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2025. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/134623 |
| institution | Stellenbosch University (South Africa) |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-10T12:45:06.534Z |
| license_str | Other — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository |
| publishDate | 2025 |
| publishDateRange | 2025 |
| publishDateSort | 2025 |
| publisher | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| publisherStr | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository |
| spelling | oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/134623 The measurement of character strengths : ideal point versus dominance measurement models Goosen, Susanna Jacoba De Bruin, Gideon Pieter Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences. Dept. of Industrial Psychology. Character -- Measurement Mental health -- Measurement Well-being -- Measurement Positive psychology Item response theory Regression analysis Latent structure analysis UCTD Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2025. Goosen, S. J. 2025.The Measurement of Character Strengths: Ideal Point Versus Dominance Measurement Models. Unpublished doctoral dissertation. Stellenbosch: Stellenbosch University [online]. Available: https://scholar.sun.ac.za/items/ac6cff31-4ed6-4b15-aac5-1118afe41eb8 ENGLISH SUMMARY: Background: Character strengths are typically assessed using dominance-based item response models. However, both theoretical arguments and empirical findings support the use of ideal point models for measuring attributes such as character strengths. Applying an inappropriate item response model may result in inaccurate trait estimation, particularly at the upper end of the latent trait continuum. Emerging theoretical and empirical evidence further suggests that excessively high levels of character strengths may result in reduced well-being—a phenomenon known as the “too-much-of-a-good-thing” (TMGT) effect. Disordered person rankings, which may arise from model misfit, could obscure the detection of such curvilinear relationships. To date, no study has systematically examined the relative fit of dominance versus ideal point models in the context of character strength data, nor the implications this holds for identifying TMGT effects. Research purpose: This study set out to answer three questions: (a) Which of the dominance or ideal point models shows the best fit with character strength scales? (b) Is there a TMGT effect with respect to character strengths and well-being, and does the choice of dominance versus ideal point measurement models make a difference? (c) Does the choice of a dominance versus an ideal point model impact the identification of latent profiles of character strengths and the relations of these profiles with well-being? Research Design: The studies presented in Chapters 3, 4, and 5 involved the application of two psychometric models—the generalised partial credit model (GPCM) and the generalised graded unfolding model (GGUM)—to cross-sectional data. Chapter 3 utilised archival data from 904 university students who completed the International Personality Item Pool–Values in Action (IPIP-VIA) character strengths survey. Data were analysed using both the GPCM and the GGUM. Chapters 4 and 5 used newly collected data from a combined sample of 1370 participants, comprising 746 students and 624 adult volunteers, all of whom completed the IPIP-VIA and the Mental Health Continuum–Short Form (MHC-SF). Chapter 4 investigated the shape of the associations between character strengths and well-being via polynomial regression. Chapter 5 examined the impact of model choice on the identification of latent character strength profiles. Associations between latent profile membership and well-being were examined using one-way analyses of variance (ANOVAs). Results: Evidence regarding the relative fit of the dominance and ideal point response models was mixed. Ideal point response processes were evident for certain character strengths, suggesting that the GPCM may underestimate the trait levels of individuals with extremely high standings on the latent constructs. This results in disordered rankings among those at the upper end of the trait continuum. Some evidence of curvilinear relationships between character strengths and well-being emerged. Disordered rankings of individuals may attenuate the strength of these curvilinear associations. The choice of measurement model also influences the identification of latent character strength profiles. The GGUM provided better classification of individuals into latent classes. Notably, individuals in the GGUM-derived High-Strength profile exhibited significantly elevated levels of well-being. Summary and Implications: This study addressed significant criticisms of positive psychology research, particularly regarding theoretical development and methodological rigour in character strengths measurement. Despite much of the evidence suggesting that the choice of measurement model does not make much of a difference for the majority of people, the study demonstrated that the ideal point model (GGUM) proved more effective than the dominance model (GPCM) at accurately identifying individuals with very high character strength levels. The superiority of the ideal point model is likely underestimated due to the use of scales originally developed from a dominance model perspective. Results suggested that elevated levels of character strengths are mostly linearly related to well-being. Improved measures of character strength, developed within an ideal point model framework, may yield stronger evidence of curvilinear relations and contribute toward improved theory building in the field of positive psychology. AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Geen opsomming beskikbaar. Doctoral 2025-12-19T07:26:02Z 2025-12-19T07:26:02Z 2025-12 Thesis https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/134623 en Stellenbosch University xiv, 234 pages : illustrations, includes annexures application/pdf Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| spellingShingle | Character -- Measurement Mental health -- Measurement Well-being -- Measurement Positive psychology Item response theory Regression analysis Latent structure analysis UCTD Goosen, Susanna Jacoba The measurement of character strengths : ideal point versus dominance measurement models |
| title | The measurement of character strengths : ideal point versus dominance measurement models |
| title_full | The measurement of character strengths : ideal point versus dominance measurement models |
| title_fullStr | The measurement of character strengths : ideal point versus dominance measurement models |
| title_full_unstemmed | The measurement of character strengths : ideal point versus dominance measurement models |
| title_short | The measurement of character strengths : ideal point versus dominance measurement models |
| title_sort | measurement of character strengths ideal point versus dominance measurement models |
| topic | Character -- Measurement Mental health -- Measurement Well-being -- Measurement Positive psychology Item response theory Regression analysis Latent structure analysis UCTD |
| url | https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/134623 |
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