Strengths based rehabilitation assessment: Adapted Inventory of Virtues and Strengths

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Kim, Jeong Han^{a; *} | Keck, Phillip S.^b | McMahon, Megan C.^c | Vo, Abigail^d | Gonzalez, Rene^e | Lee, Dong Hun^f | Barbir, Lara^g | Maree, Krysta^h

Affiliations: [a] Department of Clinical Counseling and Mental Health, Texas Tech University Health Science Center, Lubbock, TX, USA | [b] Interventional Spine and Pain Management, Richmond, VA, USA | [c] Department of Psychology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA | [d] Ph.D. in Special Education, Midlothian, VA, USA | [e] School of Rehabilitation Services and Counseling, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Edinburg, TX, USA | [f] Department of Education, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, South Korea | [g] Psychology Postdoctoral Resident, VA San Diego Healthcare System/University of California San Diego, CA, USA | [h] Virginia Medicaid Enrollment Broker and Education Services, Richmond, VA, USA

Correspondence: [*] Address for correspondence: Jeong Han Kim, Ph.D., CRC, Assistant Professor, Department of Rehabilitation Counseling, Virginia Commonwealth University, P.O. Box 980330, Richmond, VA 23298-0330, USA. Tel.: +1 804 300 7267; E-mail: [email protected].

Abstract: BACKGROUND:The Values in Action Inventory of Strengths (VIA-IS) operationalizes 24 character strengths that compose the six virtues proposed in Peterson and Seligman’s classification theory. Though the utility of the VIA-IS has been demonstrated in the general population, its applicability to the study of psychosocial adaptation in rehabilitation for individuals with disabilities has been controversial. OBJECTIVE:The present study was to develop a measure of rehabilitation clients’ positive traits, the Adapted Inventory of Virtues and Strengths (AIVS) designed to complement the applicability issues of the VIA-IS. METHOD:Step-by-step AIVS development procedures are presented, and the AIVS factor structure identified via factor analysis is interpreted from a psychosocial adaptation perspective and compared to the VIA-IS factor structure. RESULTS:AIVS subscales include Courage, Integrity, Practical Wisdom, Committed Action, and Emotional Transcendence. Construct validity was assessed by correlating AIVS factors with measures of resilience, life satisfaction, and well-being. CONCLUSIONS:The AIVS offers a reliable framework that has clinical utility for strengths-based rehabilitation practice.

Keywords: Chronic illness, disability, positive psychology

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-182807

Journal: Work, vol. 61, no. 3, pp. 421-435, 2018