Personal strengths and virtues, subjective happiness, sense of humor and personality. Analysis by country and gender of teachers
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Abstract
The personal variables of teachers, from the perspective of Positive Psychology, are of special relevance in the educational field. In this regard, the main objective of this work is to analyze the strengths and personal virtues, subjective happiness, sense of humor and personality of teachers according to the country of origin (Spain and the Dominican Republic) and gender. 454 teachers from different educational stages took part in the study, 76.9% from Spain and 23.1% from the Dominican Republic.
Based on gender, 156 were men (34.4%) and 298 women (65.6%). The minimum age was 19 and the maximum was 66 (Mean age = 40.04 years, SD = 10.51). The following instruments were used for data collection: Values in Action Inventory of Strengths (VIA-IS), Subjective Happiness Scale (SHS), Multidimensional Sense of Humor Scale (MSHS) and Big Five Inventory (BFI -10). Differences were found according to country and gender. In this regard, teachers in the Dominican Republic scored higher than those in Spain in personal strengths and virtues, subjective happiness, sense of humor and in the personality factor Openness to new experiences. Spanish teachers, for their part, scored higher in the Neuroticism personality factor. Based on gender, women achieved higher values on the VIA-IS Humanity scale, in subjective happiness and in the Extroversion personality factor. The relevance of the study of the psychological constructs analyzed in teachers is discussed, given that they involve cognitive, affective and motivational processes leading to successful performance. Likewise, the cultural differences between the two comparison countries and based on gender. The need to carry out cross-cultural studies is established, as well as to deepen in gender studies.
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