Background: The Values in Action Inventory of Strengths (VIA-IS) operationalizes 24 character strengths that compose the six virtues proposed in Peterson and Seligman's classification theory. Though the utility of the VIA-IS has been demonstrated in the general population, its applicability to the study of psychosocial adaptation in rehabilitation for individuals with disabilities has been controversial.
Objective: The present study was to develop a measure of rehabilitation clients' positive traits, the Adapted Inventory of Virtues and Strengths (AIVS) designed to complement the applicability issues of the VIA-IS.
Method: Step-by-step AIVS development procedures are presented, and the AIVS factor structure identified via factor analysis is interpreted from a psychosocial adaptation perspective and compared to the VIA-IS factor structure.
Results: AIVS subscales include Courage, Integrity, Practical Wisdom, Committed Action, and Emotional Transcendence. Construct validity was assessed by correlating AIVS factors with measures of resilience, life satisfaction, and well-being.
Conclusions: The AIVS offers a reliable framework that has clinical utility for strengths-based rehabilitation practice.
Keywords: Chronic illness; disability; positive psychology.