What do clients think about amplifying positivity? Client change perspectives following a cognitive and behavioural positive activity intervention for anxiety and depression

IF 1.2 Q3 PSYCHOLOGY, CLINICAL

Counselling & Psychotherapy Research Pub Date : 2024-09-17 DOI:10.1002/capr.12822

Margaret K. Satchwell, Samantha N. Hoffman, Madeleine M. Rassaby, Thomas J. Bowers, Charles T. Taylor

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background

The positive valence system (PVS) is increasingly recognised as an important target in facilitating recovery from anxiety and depression. Amplification of positivity (AMP), a cognitive and behavioural intervention, targets the PVS through repeated and intentional activities (e.g. savouring positive experiences, gratitude and acts of kindness). Initial data demonstrate that AMP engages positive valence targets (e.g. positive affect) and outcomes (e.g. social connectedness) in people seeking treatment for anxiety or depression; however, client perspectives on AMP are not well understood. This study aimed to qualitatively explore clients' experiences to better understand post-treatment client changes and advance the development and effectiveness of AMP and other emerging positive valence-focussed interventions.

Methods

Transcripts were analysed from 11 participants who completed an optional qualitative interview after completing AMP treatment in a randomised controlled trial (NCT04945239).

Results

Two superordinate themes with several subthemes emerged. The first theme, Changes in Self, revealed common changes consistent with the core targets of AMP, as well as changes less explicitly targeted by AMP. The second theme, The Positivity Pivot, uncovered clients' perceptions on the emphasis of positive emotions in treatment. Overall, clients enjoyed and reaped benefits from amplifying positivity; some clients also reported wanting more time and space to discuss negative valence symptoms.

Conclusion

People seeking treatment for anxiety or depression are receptive to amplifying positivity and experience the mental and social benefits of doing so. Positive valence-centred treatments may therefore be valuable for some clients. Treatment protocols that integrate positive valence- and negative valence-targeted approaches may be preferred by some clients.

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背景积极情绪系统（PVS）越来越被认为是促进焦虑症和抑郁症康复的重要目标。积极情绪放大法（AMP）是一种认知和行为干预方法，它通过重复和有意识的活动（如品味积极的经历、感恩和善举）来针对积极情绪系统。初步数据表明，AMP 可使焦虑症或抑郁症患者的积极情绪目标（如积极情绪）和结果（如社会联系）产生积极影响；然而，人们对 AMP 的客户观点却不甚了解。本研究旨在对客户的经历进行定性探索，以更好地了解治疗后客户的变化，并促进 AMP 及其他新兴的以积极情绪为重点的干预措施的发展和有效性。方法对随机对照试验（NCT04945239）中完成 AMP 治疗后完成选择性定性访谈的 11 名参与者的笔录进行分析。结果出现了两个上位主题和几个下位主题。第一个主题是 "自我的变化"，它揭示了与 AMP 核心目标一致的共同变化，以及 AMP 不太明确的目标变化。第二个主题 "积极支点 "揭示了客户对治疗中强调积极情绪的看法。总体而言，客户喜欢并受益于积极情绪的放大；一些客户还表示希望有更多的时间和空间来讨论消极情绪症状。结论寻求焦虑症或抑郁症治疗的人乐于放大积极情绪，并体验到这样做带来的心理和社会益处。因此，以积极情绪为中心的治疗可能对某些患者有价值。一些客户可能更喜欢将以积极情绪和消极情绪为目标的治疗方案结合在一起。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Counselling & Psychotherapy Research PSYCHOLOGY, CLINICAL-

CiteScore

4.40

自引率

12.50%

发文量

期刊介绍： Counselling and Psychotherapy Research is an innovative international peer-reviewed journal dedicated to linking research with practice. Pluralist in orientation, the journal recognises the value of qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods strategies of inquiry and aims to promote high-quality, ethical research that informs and develops counselling and psychotherapy practice. CPR is a journal of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy, promoting reflexive research strongly linked to practice. The journal has its own website: www.cprjournal.com. The aim of this site is to further develop links between counselling and psychotherapy research and practice by offering accessible information about both the specific contents of each issue of CPR, as well as wider developments in counselling and psychotherapy research. The aims are to ensure that research remains relevant to practice, and for practice to continue to inform research development.