Character strengths: Theory and intervention

This article discusses concepts related to character strengths and positive youth development and how these ideas can be applied to improve outcomes among gifted young people. A theory with roots in public health, The Theory of Triadic Influence (TTI), is discussed with examples applied to gifted populations. Practitioners and researchers from several fields have used the TTI to better understand behavior and to inform program development/evaluation efforts that have improved young people’s outcomes including those related to substance use, dietary behaviors, and physical activity. The TTI may be helpful for researchers and practitioners intending to understand and change both cognitive and affective/emotional influences that play a role in shaping the behaviors of gifted young people. In addition, we review intervention/evaluation studies that seek to improve outcomes among young people (in general) and gifted young people (in particular) and share ideas for future efforts to improve outcomes among gifted populations.