Significant Increases In Positive Affect Research Articles

“The very process made me happier!” Is pleasure research an affective intervention?

ABSTRACT Participating in research on aversive topics can produce discomfort. However, the affective consequences of taking part in hedonic research are unknown. Positive psychology interventions (PPIs) harness personal strengths, values, beliefs, and emotions to promote optimal functioning. A growing body of evidence suggests they can be effective in addressing a range of mental health conditions and promoting well-being. Savoring is one of the more potent classes of PPIs, and even brief interventions can shift positive affect (PA) and negative affect (NA) in directions conducive to greater well-being. In a study of 1,804 Australian adults, we found that responding to an online survey asking about pleasure produced a small but significant increase in PA and a substantial reduction in NA. The magnitude of the effects was comparable with other published PPIs. We briefly discuss this finding in the context of emotional sensibility and consider the nexus between intervention and research.

Virtual reality mindfulness training for veterans in residential substance use treatment: Pilot study of feasibility and acceptability

BackgroundMindfulness training is effective in recovery from substance use disorders; however, adoption can be difficult due to environmental and personal distractions. Virtual reality (VR) may help overcome these challenges by providing an immersive environment for practicing mindfulness, but there is currently limited knowledge regarding patient and provider perceptions of VR-based tools. ObjectiveThe present study investigated the feasibility and acceptability of VR mindfulness training for veterans in residential substance use treatment as well as potential benefits of VR mindfulness interventions in this population. We conducted a pilot feasibility/acceptability study as a first step toward conducting a larger randomized controlled trial (RCT). MethodsThe study recruited participants (N = 32) from a 30-day residential substance use program and collected both qualitative and quantitative feedback on the VR mindfulness intervention using a mixed-methods approach. Patients (n = 20) and providers (n = 12) rated the acceptability, usability, and satisfaction of the intervention. Using a within-subjects design, patients provided pre-post emotion ratings and reported on state mindfulness and VR presence after completing a single-session self-guided VR mindfulness intervention. Patients provided qualitative interview data on their overall impressions, while providers gave the same information via survey. ResultsBoth patients and providers reported high satisfaction and confidence in the intervention. Moreover, within subjects t-tests showed that patients experienced significant reductions in negative affect and significant increases in positive affect from pre-post, along with high levels of state mindfulness and presence. Results of thematic analysis revealed that the intervention facilitated focused attention on the present moment, induced a state of calm and relaxation, and reduced negative thoughts and emotions. Participants requested improvements such as better integration of audiovisual elements, a more personalized and longer intervention, and more comfortable fitting headset. Finally, the intervention presented with several advantages compared to other mindfulness experiences including reduced distractions and a sense of safety and privacy. ConclusionsSelf-guided VR mindfulness intervention is feasible and acceptable to patients and providers. VR mindfulness training provides an immersive experience that uplifts mood and reduces distractions. VR may provide a scaffolding tool to set the stage for deepening mindfulness skills. Results of the present study could inform further development and tailoring for future interventions.

An Inquiry‐based Approach to Understanding Well‐being and Smartphone Usage: Constructing Research with Adolescent Students

AbstractInquiry can be an effective educational strategy for building critical thinking and student agency, but it is also a catalyst for scientific research. This study built upon a foundation of inquiry as 25 adolescents participated in a nine‐week guided inquiry curriculum focused on smartphones and digital responsibility. As participants developed personally meaningful inquiries and designed investigations into smartphone usage, they became co‐researchers who conducted their own research studies at a large museum. The study examines to what extent participants show changes in their (1) sense of well‐being; (2) awareness of personal smartphone usage. Pre‐ and post‐intervention data compared participants' personal awareness of smartphone usage and investigated participants' well‐being. Results showed significant increases in positive affect and smartphone awareness, with significant decreases in negative affect. This study provides important insights for teachers and researchers by highlighting the positive educational impacts of two‐way dialogue between research and education.

Brief report: Impact of a horseback riding lesson on youth well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic

During the COVID-19 pandemic, children and adolescents were at a high risk of experiencing anxiety and stress which undoubtedly had a negative impact on their psychological well-being. While research has shown that canine interactions during this time were beneficial for young people’s well-being, the impact of horse-human activities has not been examined outside of at-risk youth and populations with psychological and/or physical conditions. This pilot study examined whether a recreational horseback riding lesson held during the height of the pandemic improved the well-being of non-at-risk, neurotypical youth. Using the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule for Children (Ebesutani et al., 2012 [36]), the mood and stress of beginner/novice riders (n = 16) at a local stable were evaluated before and after the lesson. The Human-Animal Interaction Scale (Fournier et al., 2016 [38]) was also used to assess the quality of the horse-rider interaction to examine its potential impact on the efficacy of riding in improving psychological well-being. Results found a significant increase in positive affect and decrease in negative affect after the lesson compared to before. However, these effects appear to be driven by the group of riders that had a higher quality interaction with their horse. Overall, this study provides initial support for the efficacy of horseback riding for improving well-being in neurotypical, non-at-risk children, and demonstrates that the quality of the interaction between the horse and rider likely plays an important role.

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Mixed-mode Zentangle and Pastel Nagomi artwork for improving mental well-being in university students during COVID-19 pandemic - a randomized controlled feasibility trial.

University students are identified as a high-risk group for mental health problems. Artworks have been found effective in enhancing individuals' mental well-being in different populations, but none have been conducted on university students. This study was to address this research gap to determine the feasibility and estimate the preliminary effects of Zentangle and Pastel Nagomi on the mental well-being of undergraduate students during the COVID-19 pandemic. This was a 3-arm randomized controlled trial, with 33 undergraduates allocated to two 8-week artworks (Zentangle or Pastel Nagomi Art group) and a control group. Data were collected at baseline, and weeks 4, 6, 8, and 12. Focus group interviews were conducted at the 12-week follow-up. The consent and attrition rates were 80.5 and 6.06%, respectively. The attendance rate ranged from 83.3 to 100%. Compared with the control group, the Pastel Nagomi art group had a significant improvement in retaining positive affect at week 6. This retention could be further observed at week 12. Moreover, the Zentangle group had a significant increase in positive affect at week 4, with better retention at week 12. In addition, the within-group analyses showed that the Pastel Nagomi art group had significantly decreased negative affect at weeks 6 and week 12; and the Zentangle group had significantly decreased depression at week 8. The qualitative findings suggested that the intervention resulted in the participants enjoying the artwork process, and being proud of their artwork and personal growth. The study included an imbalance number of online vs. face-to-face sessions, and repeated measures may have affected the results. The study suggests that both artworks are effective in improving undergraduates' mental well-being and that it is feasible to conduct future large-scale studies (263 words).

Exploring the relationships between specific urban design features and adolescent mental health: The case of imageability, enclosure, human scale, transparency, and complexity

Adolescence is a critical phase in an individual’s development. Adolescents are especially susceptible to the impacts of external environment stimuli (e.g., afforded social opportunities, area walkability, ambient pollution), yet relatively little research has sought to quantify how urban design exposures might affect their mental health. To explore the links between specific urban design features and adolescent mental health, we quantified the pedestrian- and transit-oriented design (PTOD) quality of six different urban areas using a validated tool, and presented videos of these areas to 1,500 Canadian adolescents via an online survey. Outcomes of interests were participants’ emotional responses to each video (i.e., positive affect, negative affect, calmness, anxiousness, perceived restorativeness, and mental demand). Linear mixed models were run and then adjusted for a variety of sociodemographic and environmental controls, with the subsequent findings showing several significant associations between increases in the scores of the different PTOD concepts and the reported adolescent emotional responses. While the findings are correlational in nature, the design concept transparency was associated with the greatest increases in positive affect (β = 1.442, 95% CI: 1.322, 1.562), calmness (β = 0.540, 95% CI: 0.410, 0.669), and perceived restorativeness (β = 1.976, 95% CI: 1.792, 2.159). Scale was associated with significant increases in positive affect (β = 0.656, 95% CI: 0.608, 0.704) and decreases in negative affect (β = −0.202, 95% CI: −0.239, −0.164), as was complexity with both positive affect (β = 0.429, 95% CI: 0.396, 0.461), and negative affect (β = −0.148, 95% CI: −0.174, −0.123). To support adolescent mental well-being through design, urban designers should consider scale, complexity, and transparency concepts in their design guidelines and building codes. Future research should look to examine these relationships via experimental designs and externally valid methods (e.g., ecological momentary assessments).

An exploratory study of the coming out road drawing: A novel growth promoting intervention for sexual and gender minority individuals

Despite the shift in acceptance of sexual and gender minority (SGM) individuals in the United States, heterosexism continues to endure, including a recent swathe of legislative attempts to restrict LGBTQ+ rights. The experience of heterosexism, and resultant minority stress, places SGM individuals at greater risk for negative mental health outcomes, demanding a need for culturally responsive therapeutic interventions. The use of Hanes’ (1995) road drawing, modified as a directive to depict one’s coming out story, was examined as such an intervention. We hypothesized that participants would experience a significant increase in positive affect and decrease in negative affect after they created a road drawing of their coming out story. While findings reflected a trend for an increase in positive affect following the art making directive, t(39) = 1.92, p = .062, statistical significance was only found for those who experienced themselves to be “more out,” t(31) = 2.74, p = .01. No significance was observed for negative affect. Findings support the coming out road drawing as a growth promoting intervention. Examples of participant artwork are provided to highlight the narrative and symbolic quality of the coming out road drawing. Application and direction for future research are discussed.

Lessons in a Green School Environment and in the Classroom: Effects on Students' Cognitive Functioning and Affect.

The positive impact of short-term exposure to nature during a green recess in a school day is documented in the literature. In this study we investigated cognitive, academic, and affective effects of a single contact with nature during a regular school lesson in the greenness, compared to an usual classroom lesson, on young students in second and third grades (N = 65). In a within-subjects design, for the cognitive effects we examined children's (a) selective and sustained attention and (b) math calculation performance in common school tasks. For affective effects we considered (c) their positive and negative mood and (d) the perception of environmental restorativeness. Findings revealed that after a single lesson taught in the green school garden, children had greater selective attention and math calculation performance in two tasks than after a similar lesson in the classroom environment. Moreover, children with higher self-reported emotional difficulties showed greater selective attention and reported a statistically significant increase in positive affect and a tendency to a significant decrease in negative affect after the lesson in the greenness than in the classroom. Students also perceived the green space as more restorative than the classroom environment. Results are discussed against theories on the benefits of exposure to natural environments, highlighting the theoretical and practical significance of the study.

Educating students about time perspective and its effect on subjective well-being

Four hundred and twelve secondary school students in Hong Kong responded to the Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory (ZTPI), the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS), and the Temporal Satisfaction with Life Scale (TSWLS) to examine the relationship between time perspective and subjective well-being. Past-Positive, Present-Hedonistic, and Future time perspectives predicted higher levels of subjective well-being, whereas Past-Negative and Present-Fatalistic time perspectives predicted lower levels of subjective well-being. Of the 412 students, 149 volunteered to take part in an intervention to optimise their time perspectives. After coarsened exact matching was applied, the results showed that the intervention optimised students’ time perspective profile with a significant increase in Present-Hedonistic time perspective and reduction in Past-Negative and Present-Fatalistic time perspectives. It also led to a significant increase in positive affect, past and future life satisfaction for the students in the experimental group compared with those in the control group.

Effect of online counselling on emotional outcomes during the COVID‐19 pandemic: An innovative group intervention for university students using the Brain Wave Modulation Technique

Young people's mental health problems are a matter of concern during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Counselling services for university students by means of telemental support can help them to deal with psychological issues that they may be facing due to the pandemic. The present study investigated the effects of four once‐weekly online counselling sessions based on a mind‐body technique (the Brain Wave Modulation Technique; BWM‐T) on enhancing positive affect and on reducing negative affect and anxiety in a sample of 54 university students (96.3% females; M age = 21.31 years, SD = 2.09). An experimental design was conducted: the participants were randomly assigned to the intervention group, which received 15 min of a guided online BWM‐T session, or to the control group, which watched a 15‐min video on how to sustain their psychological well‐being. The results of a two‐factor mixed‐design analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed that the participants in the intervention group reported a significant increase in positive affect and a decrease in negative affect over time compared to those in the control group. They also reported a slight decrease in state anxiety compared to the control group, although this was just short of statistical significance. The information provided by this study, regarding emotional outcomes among university students after four brief online counselling sessions, suggests that such interventions could be an effective and sustainable way to reinforce young people's mental health during the COVID‐19 pandemic, as well as later in their university careers and adult lives.

Linking Religious Identity, Participation, and Faith to Domains of Mental Health in Late Life

Religiosity in late life has been linked to psychological well-being outcomes. However, there has been insufficient attention to complex associations between different domains of religiosity and domains of psychological wellbeing. We explored associations between religious identity, religious participation, religious coping (trust in God), and mental health indicators of depressive symptoms, life satisfaction, and positive/negative affect among 797 independent, retirement community-dwelling older adults. At baseline, religious identity (expressed as self- concept) and religious participation (church attendance) each were associated with fewer depressive symptoms (b=-0.47, p<0.05; b=-0.19, p<0.05). Religious identity, however, was significantly associated with both life satisfaction and positive affects but not with negative affect. Religious coping was associated with greater life satisfaction and positive affect. Our longitudinal analysis documented a statistically significant decline in depressive symptoms, and increase in life satisfaction and positive affect, with corresponding increase in religious identity over time. However, changes in religious identity did not lead to significant changes in negative affect over time. Religious coping and church attendance fully explained the influence of religious identity on changes in life satisfaction. Although the influence of religious identity on depressive symptoms and positive affect was weakened, its significant influence was maintained even after the consideration of religious coping and church attendance. Beyond religious identity, we also observed a significant increase in positive affect with a corresponding increase in religious coping. Overall, our findings support expectations that religious identification and practices are associated with greater psychological well-being among community dwelling old- old adults.

Psychological benefits of Forest Bathing during the COVID-19 pandemic: a pilot study in a Mediterranean forest close to urban areas

ABSTRACT The practice of Shinrin-Yoku or Forest Bathing is an outdoor therapeutic modality with mounting evidence suggesting positive effects on individuals’ psychological wellbeing and overall health. However, its benefits have mainly been studied in Asian biomes and more research is needed to evaluate if its benefits are also generalizable to other regions such as European-Mediterranean forests. To preliminarily explore this issue, 16 healthy adults (87.5% women, mean age 47.5) were assessed before and after a 3-hour session of Forest Bathing with meditation exercises in a Mediterranean forest near Barcelona (Spain). Changes in state anxiety, negative affect, positive affect and state mindfulness were assessed. Results show significant increases in positive affect, vigour, friendship and mindfulness, and decreases in negative affect, anxiety, anger, fatigue, tension, and depressive mood. Effect sizes observed for all the outcomes were significant and large, ranging from d = 1.02 to d = 2.61. This study encourages more applied research of the forest therapy model and the practice of Shinrin-Yoku in Mediterranean forests to increase the general population’s psychological wellbeing and to deal with the growing prevalence of the psychological side-effects generated by the COVID-19 in European countries such as Spain.

The power of narrative

Abstract Much of the research on narrative identity has used the Life Story Interview (LSI) to better understand the person through the story they construct of their life. However, the effect that the LSI has on participants has not yet been examined. Study 1 looked at 163 middle-aged adults who completed a measure of self-reported positive and negative affect both immediately before and after being interviewed. Results indicated that participants experienced a significant increase in positive affect and that this mood boost was experienced regardless of background, personality, and mental health. Study 2 involved a qualitative analysis of the interview transcripts of the 20 participants who experienced the most and the least benefit from the interview, with results indicating three emerging themes (identity development, identity fulfillment, the storied self) that appear to reflect two forms of storytelling: autobiographical versus episodic.

The Impact of Virtual Reality on Curiosity and Other Positive Characteristics

ABSTRACTThe aim of the present study was to investigate the possible impact of virtual reality on curiosity. An associated aim was to assess the effect of virtual reality on positive and negative affect, vigor, flow and interest, and to explore whether curiosity prompted by virtual reality might be a mechanism linking virtual reality with affect, vigor, flow and interest. Participants were randomly assigned to an interactive virtual reality condition or a control condition. Participants in the virtual reality condition showed a significant increase across curiosity dimensions compared to participants in the control condition. Participants in the virtual reality condition also showed a significant increase in positive affect and vigor, and higher levels of flow and interest compared to participants in the control condition. Change in the exploration dimension of curiosity prompted by the virtual reality experience linked the experience with positive affect and interest. Virtual reality may be a vehicle for inducing curiosity and associated positive characteristics.

Effects of processing positive memories on posttrauma mental health: A preliminary study in a non-clinical student sample

Background and objectivesAlthough trauma research and therapy primarily focus on traumatic memories, recent evidence indicates positive memory processes play a role in the etiology/maintenance of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptom severity. We examined the effects of a novel positive memory processing technique on PTSD symptom severity, depression symptom severity, affect, posttrauma cognitions, and self-esteem. MethodsSixty-five trauma-exposed participants were randomly assigned to one of three conditions (narrating/processing vs. writing/processing two specific positive memories, or a time-matched control) and completed self-report measures pre- and post-task (T0). About one week later, participants repeated their assigned task condition and completed self-report measures pre- and post-task (T1). We conducted mixed ANOVAs to examine the impact of the technique on study variables over time. ResultsThe narrating condition had significant decreases in PTSD symptom severity, posttrauma cognitions, and negative affect from T0 pre-task to T1 post-task; and significant increases in positive affect from T0 pre-to-post-task and from T1 pre-to-post-task. The writing condition had significant increases in positive affect from T0 pre-to-post-task, but a significant decrease from T0 post-task to T1 post-task; and significant decreases in negative affect from T0 pre-to-post-task with an increase from T0 post-task to T1 post-task. LimitationsUse of self-report measures, non-clinical convenience sample with less gender/ethnic/racial diversity, small sample size, methodological differences in time frames for measures, and no examination of follow-up effects. ConclusionsNarrating and processing specific positive memories had a beneficial impact on PTSD symptom severity, posttrauma maladaptive cognitions, and affect; such results provide an impetus to examine positive memory interventions in trauma clinical work.

Improvements in adolescent mental health and positive affect using creative arts therapy after a school shooting: A pilot study

Mass shootings have increased in the United States in recent decades and are associated with adverse psychological outcomes. This pilot study used a pre-post design to evaluate the effectiveness of a two-week creative arts therapy camp at improving the mental health of adolescents exposed to the horrific February 14th shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Participants (n = 34) were rising high school students and participated in visual art, drama, or music therapy. At baseline, a third of participants indicated clinically significant moderate-to-severe depression, a third indicated clinically significant moderate-to-severe anxiety, and nearly two thirds indicated high levels of posttraumatic stress. There were statistically significant reductions in posttraumatic stress (d = .54), depression (d = .34), and anxiety symptoms (d = .52), significant decreases in negative affect (d = .42), and significant increases in positive affect (d = .81) between pre- and post-treatment time points. When drama, music, and visual arts treatments were examined separately, drama therapy significantly improved mental health and positive affect. The vast majority of participants reported that they had fun, gained a deeper understanding of themselves, and felt safe during the treatment. Group-delivered arts therapy may be an effective treatment to improve mental health and affect in adolescents exposed to a school shooting.

Mindfulness Induces Changes in Anterior Alpha Asymmetry in Healthy Older Adults

Anterior alpha asymmetry is an EEG measure of relative left- or right-sided prefrontal cortical activity that has been associated with affective style, such that greater relative left-sided activity is associated with positive affect and approach-related behaviours. While mindfulness has been shown to enhance attention and affect, here we investigate the underlying neurobiological changes supporting these outcomes by assessing anterior alpha asymmetry. A longitudinal RCT was conducted to investigate the effect of an 8-week mindfulness training (MT) intervention on anterior alpha asymmetry and affect in a group of healthy adults aged over 60 years (n = 41). An active control computer-based attention training (CT) program (n = 26) designed to activate similar attentional components to mindfulness was used to determine if outcomes resulted from attention training or mindfulness-specific factors. The Sustained Attention to Response Task was used to assess attentional performance, while a breath counting task was used to classify mindfulness participants into high (MT-HIGH; n = 19) and low (MT-LOW; n = 22) proficiency groups. While all groups displayed improved attentional performance, only the MT-HIGH and MT-LOW groups showed significant increases in positive affect as measured by the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule. The MT-HIGH group showed significantly increased relative left-sided activity at both Fp1/Fp2 and F3/F4 electrode pairs, while no significant changes were observed in the MT-LOW and CT groups. These results suggest that 8 weeks of mindfulness training is capable of inducing changes in resting anterior alpha asymmetry, but these results are dependent upon the level of proficiency achieved.

Empirical validation of the integrative psychological group intervention for women with breast cancer - preliminary results

Background/Aim. Breast cancer diagnosis is an extremely stressful life event that brings a number of physical and psychological challenges. However, supportive and psychoeducational group interventions can significantly decrease psychological distress in patients. The aim of this study was to empirically validate the effects of the integrative psychological group intervention, regarding the affective state of women who underwent breast cancer surgery at the Oncology Institute of Vojvodina. Methods. This study was conducted on a sample of 30 women, with the average age of 53.17 years (standard deviation ? SD = 10.09). Following the surgical intervention, the inpatients participated in an integrative group session consisting of the following parts: 1) supportive-expressive, 2) psycho-educational and 3) healtheducational. Before the session, participants filled in a demographic data questionnaire, measures of positive and negative affect (PANAS), optimism (LOT-R), hope (AHS), neuroticism (BFI) and symptoms of depression (DASS-21). At the end of the group sessions, the participants filled in the PANAS again. Results. A paired-samples t-test showed that following an intervention, a statistically significant increase in positive affect had occurred (t(29) = -4.44, p &lt; 0.001). For negative affect, the t-test also yields the statistically significant results (t(29) = 5.60, p &lt; 0.001), showing that intervention led to a significant decrease in negative affect. The nonparametric Wilcoxon Signed-Rank test also confirmed these results. The multiple regression analysis (F (4, 25) = 3.46, p = 0.02) showed that high neuroticism and low symptoms of depression significantly predicted a greater increase in positive affect following the session. Another regression analysis (F (4, 25) = 3.32, p = 0.03) showed that the higher symptoms of depression and, marginally, higher hope significantly predicted a greater decrease in negative affect. Conclusion. Our results showed that the integrative psychological group intervention had positive short-term effects regarding the affective state of women who underwent breast cancer surgery, and that different psychological variables can play a significant role in prediction of changes in patients? affect.

Changes in cognitive distortions and affectivity levels in adolescent depression after acute phase fluoxetine treatment

ABSTRACTIntroduction: It is supposed that both antidepressants and psychotherapies work in a manner consistent with cognitive theories of depression when changing negative affective and cognitive distortions. This study evaluated changes in cognitive distortions (i.e. systematic misinterpretations of new information) and affectivity in adolescent major depressive disorder (MDD) after acute phase treatment with fluoxetine.Methods: Twenty-five adolescents (mean age 15.10 years (SD = 1.19); 17 (68%) females) with MDD receiving fluoxetine were followed for 8 weeks. Clinician rating scales of MDD and self-reports of cognitive distortions and affectivity were completed before and after the treatment.Results: Seven (28%) adolescents showed significant improvement in cognitive distortions, 11 (44%) showed a significant decrease in negative affect, and 15 (60%) showed a significant increase in positive affect. The responders to fluoxetine had significantly decreased level of negative affect (62.5%) and an increased level in positive affect (81.2%) compared to non-responders, whereas there were no differences between the two regarding changes in cognitive distortions.Conclusions: Treatment with fluoxetine over 8 weeks led to reductions in cognitive distortions, with decreased negative and increased positive affect in adolescents with MDD. Improvements in affectivity levels closely corresponded to reductions in depressive symptoms and were greater than improvements in cognitive distortions.