Abstract

KASANZEW, Alexis et al. Mental capital through adult lifespan. Av. Psicol. Latinoam. [online]. 2010, vol.28, n.1, pp.42-51. ISSN 1794-4724.

The present work studied, in a sample of 614 participants of both sexes of the City of Santa Fe (Argentina), the mental capital, defined as the set and interrelation of personal character strengths (i.e., mental, emotional and psycho-social resources), that allow a better adaptation through preventive behaviors. For this research two primary aims were proposed: a) analyze the properties of the CAPPSI scale, and b) verify significant differences by age groups, sex and educative level. In order to fulfill the first objective, an analysis of main components was realized, which threw the presence of a single factor good differentiated that explains a 66.93% of the total variance of the test. Also, the instrument showed a high reliability (alpha of Cronbach = 0.9103). In response to the second objective, signifi cant differences by age groups and educative level were verified. Although the investigation did not throw significant differences in the mental capital of men and women, it did verify interactions between genre and educative level, and between genre and age.

Keywords : mental capital; strengths; lifespan.

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