Positive youth development (PYD) models propose that character is an important antecedent to civic action, yet few longitudinal studies have examined links between character strengths and civic behavior. Using a daily diary design, this study test longitudinal associations between character and civic behavior during the 2018 US midterm elections. Participants (N=235, Mage=19.43) completed seven daily assessments of three character strengths (purpose, future-mindedness, gratitude) and four civic behaviors (community service, environmentalism, standard political behavior, social movement behavior). There were between-person weekly effects and within-person daily effects for most character strengths, community service, and environmentalism. Higher daily purpose was associated with greater daily standard political and social movement involvement. Greater social movement involvement predicted higher next-day purpose and future-mindedness. Greater community service involvement predicted higher next-day future mindedness. Higher purpose predicted greater next-day standard political and social movement involvement. Findings support PYD models by documenting nuanced associations between character and civic action.
Longitudinal Associations between Character Strengths and Civic Action: A Daily Diary Study
