Using your strengths Strengths use and its relation to stress in Sweden Author

Introduction: Stress is a widespread problem and in Sweden many of the long-term sick are due to stress related causes. Discussions about how to reduce stress are present. Positive psychology offers one potential way to reduce stress. One intervention that has strong benefits is to know ones strengths of character, this has benefits both in reducing depression and stress as well as increasing well-being. Coaching psychologists stands on the platform of positive psychology and may play a key role in guiding healthy people preventive through reduced risk for stress related health adversatives. The aim of this essay is to investigate impact of strengths on perceived stress and well-being. Method: A test battery containing questionnaires about psychological well-being, subjective well-being, strengths of character, strengths use and stress were put together and administered via internet to the participants. Results: A total of 21 participants answered the questionnaire (10 male). The main finding includes that stress were positively correlated with satisfaction with life, psychological well-being and negatively correlated with negative affect. Strengths use was positively correlated with psychological well-being and positive affect. A multiple regression analysis showed that only negative affect and strengths use was strong predictor of perceived stress. Conclusion: As strengths use are related to stress in two ways, both by predicting presence of stress and by increasing wellbeing, which in turn are related to lower perceived stress.