Character Strengths as Potential Predictors of Shyness and Neuroticism

Abstract

With ever increasing academic demands and lack of attention towards individual differences, shy students struggle really hard. In-depth analysis of literature has already exposed the positive linkage of shyness with personality traits of neuroticism. Positive psychology has always worked towards flourishing an individual by focusing on their strengths instead of weakness. This suggests that by working on character strengths, one can subsequently work on the negative trait of shyness. The current study has been conducted with the aim to test the character strengths (self-regulation and resilience) as predictors of shyness and neuroticism. Also, the mediating role of shyness in linking character strengths with neuroticism has been explored. A sample of 120 students has been taken. Using Pearson correlation, multiple regression and mediation analysis, findings exhibit significant negative correlation between resilience and neuroticism. Resilience was also found to be a significant predictor of neuroticism in college students. Variables of shyness and self-management however had no relationship with any of the variables. Shyness was also not found to be mediating the relationship between character strengths and neuroticism.