From strengths use to work performance: The role of harmonious passion, subjective vitality, and concentration

Abstract

Research has shown that strengths use and development can foster individual performance and well-being at work. However, to date little is known about the underlying psychological processes that might be operating in this relation. The purpose of this study was first to confirm the strengths use to work performance association and, second, to assess theoretical models of strengths use by testing a path model from strengths use to work performance, through harmonious passion, subjective vitality, and concentration. This study was conducted on a sample of 404 French-speaking Canadian workers and structural equation modeling analyses were performed in order to test the proposed model. Results show an association between strengths use and work performance. Further, this relation is completely mediated by the proposed variables. Theoretical and applied implications are discussed.

Keywords:

• strengths
• performance
• passion
• vitality
• concentration
• positive psychology

Acknowledgments

Preparation of this article was facilitated through grants from the Fonds de recherche du Québec – Société et culture to the first author and from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada for the second author. Statistical analyses were completed with the kind help of Alexandre J.S. Morin, PhD, Research Professor at the Institute for Positive Psychology and Education, Australian Catholic University, Australia.