How Do Character Strengths Relate to Resilience Among Working Mothers?

Abstract

In the context of Indonesian culture, working mothers face multiple-role demands and social expectations that position them as the primary caregivers of their families, thereby increasing the need for resilience. Character strengths, classified into six core virtues and 24 specific strengths, are understood as internal resources that can enhance resilience, thereby helping individuals adapt positively to stress. This study aimed to examine the relationship between character strengths and resilience among working mothers in Indonesia. A total of 101 working mothers aged 21-60 years participated in the study through purposive sampling. Character strengths were measured using the Values in Action-Inventory of Strengths (VIA-IS), while resilience was measured using the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC). Spearman’s analysis indicated a significant positive correlation between character strengths and resilience (ρ = 0.769, p < 0.001), suggesting that the higher a mother’s character strengths, the higher her level of resilience. These findings highlight the role of character strengths as a protective factor that enhances resilience in working mothers, providing an empirical basis for developing positive psychology interventions that take the Indonesian cultural context into account.