Strides in Development of Medical Education

How Character Strengths Promote Flourishing in Medical Students: The Mediating Role of Resilience

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Majid Sadoughi

Department of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities, University of Kashan, Iran

10.22062/sdme.2026.201529.1631
Abstract
Background: Medical students often face considerable psychological challenges, jeopardizing their well-being. Character strengths and resilience are key constructs in positive psychology that may enhance flourishing, yet their underlying mechanisms require further investigation in medical education contexts.
Objectives: This study aimed to examine the relationship between character strengths and flourishing among Iranian medical students, focusing on the mediating role of resilience.
Methods: A total of 387 medical students were selected through multi-stage cluster sampling. Participants completed the Brief Strengths Test (BST), the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC-10), and Rashid & Seligman flourishing inventory. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM) and bootstrapping procedures.
Results: SEM revealed that character strengths had a significant direct effect on flourishing (β = 0.425, P < 0.01) and an indirect effect through resilience. Bootstrapped analyses confirmed a significant partial mediation, indicating that resilience accounts for a meaningful portion of the link between character strengths and flourishing (indirect effect β = 0.204, P < 0.01).
Conclusion: These findings underscore the dual role of character strengths in promoting flourishing directly and indirectly by enhancing resilience. Strengths-based educational interventions and resilience-building programs may foster sustainable well-being in medical students, especially within demanding academic environments.

Highlights

Majid Sadoughi: (Google Scholar) (PubMed)

Keywords

Flourishing
Character Strengths
Resilience
Medical Students
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Strides in Development of Medical Education
Volume 23, Issue 1
January 2026

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