{"title":"Combining PPI Domains and Targeting Cognitive Mechanisms: A Failed Proof-of-Concept for PPI Research","authors":"Bryant M. Stone, David G. Gilbert","doi":"10.1007/s41042-023-00118-1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s41042-023-00118-1","url":null,"abstract":"Positive psychological interventions (PPIs) are activities that target positive variables (e.g., gratitude or kindness) to elicit a positive response in a population, such as improving adaptive functioning, promoting well-being, reducing depression, or enhancing quality of life. Despite several decades of evidence, a meta-analysis by White et al. (2019) concluded that the effect sizes of PPIs may be smaller than previously recorded and that their effects on depression may be generally nonsignificant. In the current study, we created a new PPI, called the Best-Self PPI (BS-PPI), to provide a proof-of-concept of two relatively unexplored properties of PPIs that may enhance effect sizes, which are: (1) combining PPI domains (i.e., multiple targeted positive variables) into a single intervention and (2) designing PPIs to target cognitive mechanisms of change. Using a double-masked procedure, we randomly assigned undergraduate students (n = 133) between the ages of 18 and 32 (Mage = 19.97, SD = 1.66; women; n = 85, 63.9%; White: n = 87, 65.41%) to complete either the BS-PPI – containing elements of meaning, character strengths, and optimism – or a control condition before completing measures of depression, psychological well-being, and affect. One day later, the participants completed a measure of affect and the Self-Referential Encoding Task, a behavioral measure of self-referential processing bias, which is the strength and the valance of the words one uses to describe oneself, to test the potential of targeting a cognitive mechanism of change. One week later, participants completed measures of depression, psychological well-being, and affect. The results suggest the BS-PPI did not affect depression, well-being, or affect compared to the control group despite the consistency of this study with many other PPI studies (e.g., sample size, design, and population), which aligns with the White et al. (2019) meta-analysis. We discuss the implications of this failed proof-of-concept for PPI research and recommendations for moving forward with these relatively unexplored properties.","PeriodicalId":73424,"journal":{"name":"International journal of applied positive psychology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135015080","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Rachel Cann, Claire Sinnema, Alan J. Daly, Joelle Rodway
{"title":"A Contextual Approach to Designing, Implementing, and Adapting a Wellbeing Program: A case Study of the MARKERS Wellbeing Program for Educators","authors":"Rachel Cann, Claire Sinnema, Alan J. Daly, Joelle Rodway","doi":"10.1007/s41042-023-00123-4","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s41042-023-00123-4","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Improving educator wellbeing presents a complex challenge due to the variety of influences on wellbeing at the individual, relational, and contextual (school and policy) levels. This complexity contributes to the gap between the effectiveness of positive psychology interventions (PPIs) and their real-world success. To bridge this gap, it is essential to understand and adapt to school context when integrating psychological interventions into educational settings. This study addresses this gap through an approach to developing an educator wellbeing program that embraces the idea of understanding and adapting to context. We use a theory of change approach to designing a program, that outlines the context, design rationale, activities, and outcomes of the program. The program is multi-level, targeting influences on educator wellbeing at the individual, relational, and contextual (school) levels. Additionally, it employs a multi-foci strategy, encompassing a range of activities that target different levels and allow for adaptation. We present a case study of program implementation in one school, exploring contextual factors, adapting the program accordingly, and evaluating the degree to which theory of change outcomes were achieved. Program participants experienced improved wellbeing and a relational space characterised by more positive interactions with colleagues. This design and case study contribute to the ongoing discourse on progressing towards context-specific, whole-school approaches to wellbeing.","PeriodicalId":73424,"journal":{"name":"International journal of applied positive psychology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135061113","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The Psychometric Properties of the Psychological Work Immersion Scale: An ESEM vs ICM-CFA Approach","authors":"Llewellyn E. van Zyl, Dieter Veldsman","doi":"10.1007/s41042-023-00121-6","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s41042-023-00121-6","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract This study investigates the psychometric properties and measurement invariance of the Psychological Work Immersion Scale (PWIS) scale within global organisational contexts. Data were gathered from 19134 working adults in the US, the UK, the Middle East, Africa, and Australia. To determine the best-fitting factorial model, a series of traditional ICM-CFA and less restrictive ESEM models were estimated and systematically compared. The results showed that a bifactor ESEM model, with one general factor of overall psychological work immersion and nine specific factors (strategic connection, manager credibility, appreciative feedback, enabling environment, team relations, strength use, employee voice, recognition and rewards, personal development) fitted the data best, was reliable and showed strong measurement invariance across genders and levels of education. The results show that psychological work immersion is a multidimensional construct that is both a function of yet separate from a dynamic interaction between the nine performance-enhancing conditions or enablers. Therefore, The PWIS can be used to measure psychological work immersion validly and reliably and could be used to make meaningful latent mean comparisons between genders and different levels of education.","PeriodicalId":73424,"journal":{"name":"International journal of applied positive psychology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135153081","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The Power of Sharing Joy in Same-sex Friendships: Investigating the Association between Capitalization, Sense of Uniqueness, Happiness and Depression","authors":"Tubanur Bayram Kuzgun, Meliksah Demir, Aliye Canan Taslioglu Sayiner, Omer Faruk Simsek","doi":"10.1007/s41042-023-00125-2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s41042-023-00125-2","url":null,"abstract":"Although uniqueness has various definitions in the literature, the personal sense of uniqueness, defined as the perception of unconditional self-worth, contributes positively to mental health. Research has found that perceived responses to capitalization attempts and the sense of uniqueness are negatively associated with depression and positively associated with happiness. Our study was conducted with an emerging adult sample from various ethnicities (N = 557) and investigated the sense of uniqueness as the mediator of perceived responses to capitalization attempts in friendships and mental health. The models demonstrated that the correlations between perceived responses to capitalization attempts and both happiness and depression were mediated by the sense of uniqueness. The results were discussed by considering the role of uniqueness in the capitalization process. Also, suggestions for future research were provided.","PeriodicalId":73424,"journal":{"name":"International journal of applied positive psychology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135742006","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Doctrine-Shaped Trait Forgiveness and Relationship Satisfaction in People who Identify as Christians — A Multiple Mediation Analysis","authors":"Carolin Behrens, S. Kliem, C. Kröger","doi":"10.1007/s41042-023-00113-6","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s41042-023-00113-6","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":73424,"journal":{"name":"International journal of applied positive psychology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-08-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41247713","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"“Name Three Good Things About Yourself in Mathematics” – An Intervention to Reduce Pre-Service Teachers’ Shame in Mathematics","authors":"Lars Jenßen","doi":"10.1007/s41042-023-00120-7","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s41042-023-00120-7","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":73424,"journal":{"name":"International journal of applied positive psychology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-08-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46871226","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Louise Nixon, B. Slattery, Alberto Cassese, G. T. ten Hoor
{"title":"Effects of the Digital Intervention StudentPOWR on the Subjective Wellbeing of Students Studying from Home: a Randomized Wait-List Control Trial","authors":"Louise Nixon, B. Slattery, Alberto Cassese, G. T. ten Hoor","doi":"10.1007/s41042-023-00114-5","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s41042-023-00114-5","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":73424,"journal":{"name":"International journal of applied positive psychology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-08-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47098149","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Awe: A Systematic Review within a Cognitive Behavioural Framework and Proposed Cognitive Behavioural Model of Awe","authors":"V. Schaffer, T. Huckstepp, L. Kannis-Dymand","doi":"10.1007/s41042-023-00116-3","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s41042-023-00116-3","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":73424,"journal":{"name":"International journal of applied positive psychology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-08-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45500287","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jennifer Söderlund, Julia Simonsen, K. Alanko, Å. Fagerlund
{"title":"Tweens: A Positive Psychology Family Intervention for Adolescents with Depression- or Anxiety-related Symptomatology","authors":"Jennifer Söderlund, Julia Simonsen, K. Alanko, Å. Fagerlund","doi":"10.1007/s41042-023-00119-0","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s41042-023-00119-0","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":73424,"journal":{"name":"International journal of applied positive psychology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-08-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46705263","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Live-Sound Pressure That Is Not Measured In Decibels","authors":"Stephen Compton","doi":"10.1007/s41042-023-00112-7","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s41042-023-00112-7","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":73424,"journal":{"name":"International journal of applied positive psychology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-08-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43398554","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}