Balanced Strengths Questionnaire (FORTE): Psychometric Properties

Background: The present study aims to develop a short scale of strengths, which states that strengths would be more adaptive when used in a balanced way. We consider that strengths are dimensional scales in which the balanced scores are related to the optimal functioning of the individual. Methods: The questionnaire measures 26 balanced strengths and was applied to two samples of 851 and 909 participants, with mean ages of 37.66 (SD = 11.11) and 44.15 (SD = 8.27), respectively. Results: The results show that the best-fitting model is a hierarchical factor structure with a general factor of optimal functioning, and four primary order factors that are interrelated: emotional strengths, interpersonal strengths, intellectual strengths and transcendence strengths. The reliability of the scale is adequate (α = 0.853). It is not influenced by social desirability, presents factorial invariance in terms of sex and age, and is positively related to Life Satisfaction. The results provided cross-validation. Conclusions: The study provides a new tool to measure strengths, especially indicated for contexts where the amount of time to apply the measurement must be reduced.