The Mediating Role of Affective Temperament in the Relationship Between Character Strengths and Well-Being

This study used structural equation modelling (SEM) to explore the relationship between character strengths, affective temperament, and well-being among 383 university students. Based on Peterson and Seligman's Values-in-Action framework, it explored whether affective temperament mediates the relationship between character strengths operationalized through six core virtues and well-being. The study compared two competing models: partial mediation and full mediation. It found that character strengths directly (β = 0.248, p < 0.001) and indirectly (β = 0.247, p < 0.001) affect well-being. The partial mediation model outperformed full mediation (Δχ² = 18.969, Δdf = 1, p < 0.001), with affective temperament explaining roughly half of the effect. While the findings supported partial mediation model, full mediation model was rejected, implying that it does not accurately describe the relationship. However, alternative causal models (with reversed or opposite directional relationships) produced statistically equivalent fits, which highlight the limitations of cross-sectional data in determining cause. These findings suggest that, while character strengths contribute directly to well-being, they also are related to affective temperament, which in turn influences well-being outcomes. The study expands on previous research by highlighting the psychological mechanisms that link character and flourishing, with implications for developing comprehensive well-being interventions that address both character development and temperament regulation. Finally, these findings are especially relevant for improving mental health support for university students through the implementation of evidence-based approaches that take advantage of the identified complementary pathways.