Strengths of character according to gender in people from salinas de guardas: Intervention perspective from the PERMA Model to the solidarity economy

Abstract

Strengths of character are relatively stable characteristics that can be manifested through behaviors, thoughts or feelings and are the way through which a virtue can be reached, as proposed by the Values ​in Action (VIA) model. Objective: To determine the representative strengths of the people of Salinas de Guaranda, Ecuador. Materials and methods: Descriptive, cross-sectional quantitative study in a sample of 370 people from Salinas de Guaranda, 162 men and 208 women, between 15 and 65 years old. The information was collected using the VIA strengths questionnaire, with prior authorization for use and cultural adaptation, reliability of the test in coherence with the original alpha test of 966, Cronbach’s Alpha, VIA questionnaire of character strengths of 120 items. Regarding data processing, descriptive analysis and analysis of significant statistical differences were performed with the non-parametric test of the Mann-Whitney U in support of SPSS 23. Results: The representative character strengths with the highest score were hope, followed by gratitude and in scores that follow are teamwork, curiosity, justice, honesty, perseverance, kindness, spirituality and encouragement. Conclusions: the strengths found in the Ecuadorian population of Salinas de Guardas are predictors of sustainable behaviors, as well as favoring life satisfaction and vital commitment. Gratitude is the strength that mobilizes actions of reciprocity, pro-social actions which presents significant differences between women compared to the men evaluated in this study. © 2020, Venezuelan Society of Pharmacology and Clinical and Therapeutic Pharmacology. All rights reserved.