Not all psychological capital is equal: a scoping review of psychological capital profiles
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Abstract
Psychological capital (composed of self-efficacy, hope, optimism, and resilience) is a malleable, state-like psychological resource, positively linked to well-being, health, and performance across applied domains. Moving beyond traditional variable-centered research, this scoping review maps person-centered empirical studies to identify psychological capital profiles and examine the variables that differentiate them. Following PRISMA-ScR guidelines, 20 studies (21 empirical studies) published between 2019-2026 were reviewed. The results revealed that the number of profiles identified ranges from 2 to 7. Some studies reported profiles that differ only in terms of psychological capital intensity (level-based), while others identified more complex combinations across dimensions (shape-based). Also, profiles were distinguished by significant differences in several variables (e.g., well-being, outcomes, socio-demographic characteristics). These findings support the relevance of a person-centered approach to better understand the multidimensional nature of psychological capital and provide a solid basis for developing tailored interventions to enhance individual well-being and performance.
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