The Effects of Positive Interventions on Happiness and Depressive Symptoms, with an Examination of Personality as a Moderator

Konrad Senf () and Albert Liau

Journal of Happiness Studies, 2013, vol. 14, issue 2, 612 pages

Abstract: The advent of positive psychology has triggered research into positive interventions, which focus on strengths instead of deficits. The present study aims to investigate the effects of gratitude and strengths-based interventions on happiness and depressive symptoms against a control group, as well as to explore personality traits as moderator variables of the potential effectiveness of these interventions. A total of 122 participants completed at least two stages of the research. Data were collected at three stages—baseline pre-test, post-intervention assessment, and 1-month follow-up assessment. The findings partially support the effectiveness of the gratitude and strengths-based interventions in increasing happiness and decreasing depressive symptoms compared to a control group. Two personality domains showed significance as moderator variables. More research is needed to enable a higher degree of control when administering these promising interventions. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2013

Keywords: Positive interventions; Personal strengths; Gratitude; Personality; Happiness; Depressive symptoms; Moderator variables (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2013
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DOI: 10.1007/s10902-012-9344-4

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