Which positive personality traits do people want to change?

Most people want to change some of their personality traits, typically those they and others perceive as lacking. However, research focused on student samples and higher-order traits, and has not fully explored the attributes of traits that predict change goals. To replicate and extend previous findings, two studies examined (1) whether people want to change their character strengths and how character strengths change goals relate to (2) character strength levels, (3) age, and (4) well-being. Further, we examined which (5) attributes of character strengths, such as their contribution to morality or well-being, predict change goals. Participants (Study 1: N = 2,792 German-speaking adults, 79.2% women, median = 46 years; Study 2: N = 6,787 English-speaking adults (67.0% women; median = 32 years) completed measures of character strengths, character strengths change goals, and well-being. A subsample (n = 1,739) provided informant ratings. Results showed that participants wanted to increase all 24 character strengths. With the exception of spirituality, participants – especially the less happy – wanted to change those character strengths they lack. Most change goals showed negligible associations to participants’ well-being and age. In conclusion, people want to change the character strengths they lack and that are most strongly related to well-being.