An integrative theory-driven positive emotion regulation intervention.

Fanny Weytens,Moïra Mikolajczak,Olivier Luminet,Lesley L Verhofstadt,Amanda Bruce

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0095677

Abstract

Over the past fifteen years, positive psychology research has validated a set of happiness enhancing techniques. These techniques are relatively simple exercises that allow happiness seekers to mimic thoughts and behavior of naturally happy people, in order to increase their level of well-being. Because research has shown that the joint use of these exercises increases their effects, practitioners who want to help happiness seekers need validated interventions that combine several of these techniques. To meet this need, we have developed and tested an integrative intervention (Positive Emotion Regulation program – PER program) incorporating a number of validated techniques structured around a theoretical model: the Process Model of Positive Emotion Regulation. To test the effectiveness of this program and to identify its added value relative to existing interventions, 113 undergraduate students were randomly assigned to a 6-week positive emotion regulation pilot program, a loving-kindness meditation training program, or a wait-list control group. Results indicate that fewer participants dropped out from the PER program than from the Loving-Kindness Meditation training. Furthermore, subjects in the PER group showed a significant increase in subjective well-being and life satisfaction and a significant decrease in depression and physical symptoms when compared to controls. Our results suggest that the Process Model of Positive Emotion Regulation can be an effective option to organize and deliver positive integrative interventions.

Highlights

Until recently, research has focused on factors that hinder wellbeing, with the objective of identifying means by which to ease suffering [1]
Longitudinal studies have shown that positive emotions are associated with increased longevity [5,8,9,10,11], which is not surprising, as experience of positive affect was associated with better immunity in crosssectional [12,13] and experimental studies [14,15]
Dropout analysis revealed that among the 36 participants assigned to the Positive Emotion Regulation (PER) group, four of them left the program before its end (11% of the subjects)

Summary

Introduction

Research has focused on factors that hinder wellbeing, with the objective of identifying means by which to ease suffering [1]. Over the last fifteen years, many psychology researchers have insisted on the necessity to extend these studies by analyzing the individual differences and the processes that contribute to well-being [2]. One objective of this latter research is to highlight individuals’ available means to boost their subjective happiness. Positive affect is related to better interpersonal relationships [16,17,18,19,20] and generally increases altruism [21,22].

Objectives

Results

Conclusion