Exploring sex differences in aspects of psychosocial strengthswithin a collectivistic culture

Abstract

The aim of this study is to explore sex differences of psychological strengths within a collectivistic culture. This study is part of a larger study to explore the validity of the Value in Action Inventory of Strengths (VIA-IS) in an African context (cf. Khurnalo, Wissing, & Temane, 2005). The consideration of sex differences and similarities is important to understand aspects of human behaviour (Eagly& Diekman, 2003). This is especially so in regard to developing movements such as positive psychology which is a counterpoint to a psychology of deficits and pathology (Seligman & Csikzentrnihalyi, 2000). Kite (2001) concluded that people believe that differences between the typical characteristics of men and women exist. Many efforts to understand and identify human strengths have focused on the individual level traits such as IQ, optimism, and selfefficacy (Stadinger & Pasupathi, 2000). Few, if any, studies have conceptually looked at sex differences in regard to psychological strengths as conceptualized by Peterson and Park (2003). This study seeks to determine the nature of strengths and virtues within sex differences in collectivistic cultures. In a cross-sectional survey design, an availability sample of African students (N=164) completed the original English version of the VIA-IS and other criterion related measures of psychological well-being and health during facilitated group sessions. The

latter scales were Affectometer 2 (Kamman & Flett, 1983), the Fortitude Questionnaire (Pretorius, 1998), the Sens of Coherence Scale (Antanovsky, 1987), the Satisfaction with Life Scale (Diener et al. 1985) and General Health Questionnaire (Goldberg & Hilier, 1979). Translation of the VIA-IS into Setswana and back translation were conducted and evaluated by a research evaluation committee. Results indicated that mean scores of the VIA-IS subscales are relatively aligned with those in a Western context. Twenty of the 24 Via-subscales showed satisfactory Cronbach alphas reliability indices above .70. The VIA-IS satisfies criterion-related validity as indicated by positive correlation with life satisfaction, positive affect, fortitude and sense of coherence and negative correlation with negative affect and symptoms of ill health as measured by the General Health Questionnaire. The VIA-IS was found to be translatable with preservation of the original meaning but in some instances technical terms had to be borrowed. Results in this study indicated that there is a difference in five specific psychological strengths between males and females: (i) integrity (ii) Love (iii) Gratitude (iv) Spirituality (v) Forgiveness and mercy.