Meyer, S.* & Warren, M. A. (2021). Exploring the role of character strengths in the endorsement of gender equality and pro-environmental action in the UAE. Middle East Journal of Positive Psychology, 7, 65-80.

Recently, there has been new energy focused on the role of positive psychology in contributing to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In this study, we explore whether people’s best qualities or character strengths can and should be leveraged to increase endorsement of the SDGs of gender equality and environmentalism. Findings from this pilot study with a primarily female sample from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) shows that many character strengths were associated with patriarchal attitudes and not associated with support for gender equality in general. However, several character strengths were associated with support for specific issues such as stopping gender-based violence and support of women’s work and leadership. Many character strengths were also associated with both pro-environmental attitudes and actions. Thus, this study offers a nuanced picture that points to when character strengths may be leveraged to support SDGs and when not.

*Sierra Meyer a BS psychology, business minor student at Western led this project as part of her Independent Study.

Leslie Aguilar, BA International Business student, assisted in the initial stages of the project with identifying relevant literature and measures, and setting up an initial survey.