Stoicism, well-being, and character strengths: evidence from a large sample using the Stoic Attitudes and Behaviours Scale (SABS)
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Background: Positive psychology has identified strong links between character strengths and well-being but has paid less attention to whether broader philosophical frameworks can help make sense of how strengths are understood and put into practice. This study examined how Stoicism relates to well-being and to the VIA classification of character strengths and virtues in a large VIA sample not selected for interest in Stoicism.Methods: Participants were 11,726 adults who completed the Stoic Attitudes and Behaviours Scale (SABS), the VIA Survey, and the WHO-5 Well-Being Index. Analyses examined associations between Stoicism, its component dimensions, VIA strengths and virtues, and well-being, followed by a multiple regression analysis testing the unique contributions of VIA strengths and Stoic dimensions to well-being.Results: Overall Stoicism was positively associated with subjective well-being (r = .43). All seven SABS dimensions were positively associated with well-being, with the strongest bivariate associations for Stoic Mindfulness and Virtue. Stoicism was also positively associated with all 24 VIA strengths and all six VIA virtues. In a regression including all 24 VIA strengths and all seven SABS dimensions, zest emerged as the strongest unique VIA predictor of well-being, while Beliefs About Happiness and Virtue were the strongest unique Stoic predictors.Conclusions: When measured as a philosophical and psychological orientation rather than as emotional suppression, Stoicism is positively associated with well-being in a large non-Stoic sample. The findings suggest partial convergence with the VIA framework, while also indicating that some Stoic dimensions contribute to well-being over and above character strengths.
Authors: Johannes A. Karl, Tim LeBon
Institutions: University of Zurich, Victoria University of Wellington
Language: English
Subfield: Social Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W7170736571