Character strengths before and after September 11

Psychol Sci. 2003 Jul;14(4):381-4. doi: 10.1111/1467-9280.24482.

Abstract

Did Americans change following the September 11 terrorist attacks? We provide a tentative answer with respect to the positive traits included in the Values in Action Classification of Strengths and measured with a self-report questionnaire available on-line and completed by 4,817 respondents. When scores for individuals completing the survey in the 2 months immediately after September 11 were compared with scores for those individuals who completed the survey before September 11, seven character strengths showed increases: gratitude, hope, kindness, leadership, love, spirituality, and teamwork. Ten months after September 11, these character strengths were still elevated, although to a somewhat lesser degree than immediately following the attacks.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aircraft*
  • Character*
  • District of Columbia
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Male
  • New York City
  • Personality Inventory / statistics & numerical data*
  • Psychometrics
  • Religion and Psychology
  • Social Values*
  • Spirituality
  • Terrorism / psychology*