Examining Character Strengths of Developmental Services Workers in Canada: A Mixed-Methods Pilot Study

Abstract

This sequential explanatory mixed-methods study examined the profile of character strengths in developmental services workers (DSWs) employed in Ontario, Canada and explored how they use their strengths when supporting people with developmental disabilities. In the quantitative phase of the study, nineteen (N = 19) DSWs completed the Global Assessment of Character Strengths questionnaire (GAS-72). In the qualitative phase, a sub-set of nine (n = 9) participants completed a single face-to-face interview where they identified their top five self-perceived character strengths, and described how they use them in their work when supporting their clients. The GAS-72 results indicated that participants rated the top eight character strengths as: humor, teamwork, fairness, honesty, kindness, self-regulation, love of learning, and perspective/wisdom. Interview findings indicated that participants used the character strengths of humor, love of learning, and perseverance concurrently to provide compassionate and meaningful care, to support their client’s overall well-being, and to motivate themselves to flourish in doing their work. Future research needs to examine how character strengths in DSWs and other social services professionals can promote employee well-being, job satisfaction, and compassionate care.

Keywords:

• Burn-out
• character strengths
• developmental services workers
• job motivation
• positive psychology
• social services workers

Acknowledgment

The authors thank the DSWs who participated in this study.

Disclosure statement

The principal investigator (PI) sub-contracts their clinical services to developmental service agencies in Ontario (DSO), including the agency where the study took place. To remediate this, the PI remained at arms length during the study by not interviewing the DSWs at the agency.