The Psychometric Characteristics of Values in Action Inventory of Strengths for Youth

The aim of this study was to investigate the psychometric properties of values in action inventory of strengths for youth.

The research method was correlation and the statistical population of students studying in the ninth grade of Tehran was selected by cluster sampling method of 417 students (213 girls and 204 boys) from regions 3, 4, 10, 13. The students responded to Values in Action Inventory of Strengths scale of Park and Peterson (2006), the Lyubomirsky & lepper General Happiness Scale (1999), Schwartz and Jerselm Self-Efficacy Scale (1995), and Rosenberg SelfHandicapping Scale (1965). To evaluate the reliability and validity of the questionnaire, internal consistency coefficient and convergent validity, divergent validity and confirmatory factor analysis were used.

The results of confirmatory factor analysis showed that CMIN/DF≥ 3, CFI = 0/90, PCFI= 0/60, RMSEA= 0/08 confirm the proposed structure of the scale with data taken from the Iranian adolescent sample. Significance correlation of character Strengths with happiness and self-efficacy (r =0.28 – 0.56, p < 0/001) confirms convergent validity and with claim, behavioral SelfHandicapping and general Self-Handicapping (r= 0.12 - 0.61; p <0.001) confirms divergent validity of the scale. Cronbach's alpha coefficients for the virtues are 0.79 to 0.97 and its reliability was obtained 0.76 to 0.94 with a time interval of 15 days.

adolescent character strengths scale 96 item is a valid and rely instrument. And can be used to identify the character strengths of children and adolescents.