Page No:167-173
Aaliya Sultana R, and Pooja Varma
Jain (Deemed-to-be-University), Bangalore
This study seeks to explore the overuse, underuse and optimal use of character strengths
and their relationship with perceived stress. To examine the relationship, the study
adopted a correlational research design. This sample consisted of IT employees aged
between 25 and 35 years, working full time with a minimum of 2 years’ experience in
the organisation. The total sample size was 80 individuals. The variables were measured
using questionnaires such as the Overuse, Underuse, Optimal-Use of Character
Strengths Scale by Freidlin, Littman-Ovadia, & Niemiec, and The Perceived Stress
Scale (PSS) by Cohen. The findings of the study suggested that overuse of character
strengths score and perceived stress score (r=.220, p<0.05) was positively correlated.
However, there seems to be negative correlation (r= -.552, p<0.01) between optimal
use of character strength and perceived stress. Further, underuse of Character Strengths
demonstrates a positive correlation with perceived stress (r = .560, p < 0.01). From the
study, it can be concluded that optimal use of character strength can lead to a lower
level of stress and promote well-being.