Is the thought-action repertoire a viable intervention target in substance use populations?

Abstract

ObjectiveThis study examined if general population findings of positive correlations between happiness and breadth of thought-action repertoire (TAR) hold in substance use populations, and tests if the TAR is a modifiable intervention target. MethodsUsing data from a randomized online survey on 468 adults in recovery from problematic substance use, we compared 5 happiness exercises to two control exercises on participants' post-exercise TAR, as measured by Frederickson's Modified Open-Ended Twenty Statements Test (MOETST) and coded specifically for action tendencies. ResultsA negative binomial regression model indicated that momentary happiness reported before exercise completion was significantly and positively related to the breadth of action tendency repertoires (exp(b) = 1.05, exp(95% CI) [1.01, 1.09], p = 0.012). Two of five happiness exercises were associated with higher action tendency scores compared to the “Three Hard Things” control condition (“Savoring”: exp(b) [95% CI]: 1.51 [1.10, 2.09], X2(df = 1) = 6.36, adj. p = 0.038; “Rose, Thorn, Bud”: 1.50 [1.09, 2.06], X2(df = 1) = 6.19, adj. p = 0.038). None were significantly different from a neutral control. Effects were not significant for MOETST raw scores. ConclusionsResults indicate that momentary happiness is associated with broadened action tendencies among individuals in recovery. Brief, self-administered happiness exercises can successfully broaden this aspect of the thought-action repertoire in this population.