A Comparative Study of Self-Compassion, Character Strength, and Psychological Capital between Working Women Heads of Households and Housewives.

Background: The employment rates of women are on the rise in numerous countries worldwide. Likewise, the level of self-compassion, personality capacity, and psychological capital that women possess might play a significant role in determining their status in today's society. Thus, the present study was conducted to compare self-compassion, character strength, and psychological capital between working women heads of households and housewives. Methods: The research was a causal-comparative study. The study population included all working women who were heads of households and housewives in Tehran City, Iran, from July to September 2023. Purposive sampling was used to select 116 samples. The data collection tools included Self-Compassion Scale-Short Form (SCS-SF), the Psychological Capital Questionnaire (PCQ), and Values in Action-Inventory of Strengths (VIA-IS). Data analysis was performed using an independent t-test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) by SPSS software. Results: The difference between groups for the self-compassion variable was significant (P < 0.001) and the F value was equal to 79.261. Likewise, the difference in the average character strength variable of the two groups was significant (P < 0.001) and the F value was equal to 135.650. Moreover, the observed difference in the mean of the psychological capital variable of the two groups was significant (P < 0.001) and the F value was equal to 79.875. Conclusion: The research showed that women could conquer their obstacles by employing three factors: self-compassion, personal qualities, and psychological resources. In addition, relevant professionals should teach and strengthen women's psychological abilities, including self-compassion, character strength, and psychological capital. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]