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Gawda B, Korniluk A. The Protective Role of Curiosity Behaviors in Coping with Existential Vacuum. Behav Sci (Basel) 2024; 14:391. [PMID: 38785882 PMCID: PMC11118797 DOI: 10.3390/bs14050391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Revised: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
An existential vacuum is experienced as a kind of crisis that one can cope with using his/her strengths. The related literature suggests that the important determinants of coping with existential emptiness include positive emotional and personality resources, and among these-Curiosity Behaviors. The purpose of this study is to describe the role of curiosity as an important factor in relation to emotional resources in individuals experiencing an existential vacuum. A survey was conducted using online tools (n = 484). The hypotheses about the direct and indirect relationships between Curiosity Behaviors and existential vacuum were tested using multiple regression analyses and mediations. The study involved a sample of adult participants representing the general population. The participants completed five questionnaires, the first one focusing on Curiosity Behaviors, such as seeking out novel and challenging experiences and engagement in activities that capture one's attention (The Curiosity and Exploration Inventory), and the other tools being the Multidimensional Existential Meaning Scale, the Emotional Regulation Questionnaire, the Flourishing Scale, and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale. The results indicate that Curiosity Behaviors characteristically negatively predict existential vacuum. In addition, other variables, such as Flourishing, seem to be useful in explaining the relationships between these factors. Flourishing along with Curiosity increases a sense of Meaning in Life. Our results present evidence showing the importance of Curiosity Behaviors in coping with the existential vacuum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Gawda
- Department of Psychology of Emotion & Personality, University of Maria Curie-Sklodowska, 20-612 Lublin, Poland;
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Vélez-Toral M, Morales-Domínguez Z, Granado-Alcón MDC, Díaz-Milanés D, Andrés-Villas M. Mediterranean Diet, Psychological Adjustment and Health Perception in University Students: The Mediating Effect of Healthy and Unhealthy Food Groups. Nutrients 2021; 13:3769. [PMID: 34836022 PMCID: PMC8621952 DOI: 10.3390/nu13113769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Revised: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 10/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
This study aims to identify the relationships between eating habits and psychological adjustment and health perception, and to analyze potential mediating role of healthy and unhealthy foods in the relationship between adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) and the psychological constructs and health perception. The sample was selected through stratified random cluster sampling and was composed of 788 university students. The participants responded to a MedDiet adherence screener and food consumption inventory to assess the eating habits, instruments measuring self-esteem, life satisfaction, curiosity and sense of coherence to assess the psychological adjustment, and single item measuring perceived health. The results revealed 41.9% of the participants had a high consumption of vegetables and 85.1% a low consumption of energy drinks, while 29.9% showed a high adherence to the MedDiet which was positively associated to each psychological variable and healthy foods and negatively with unhealthy foods. In conclusion, a higher adherence to the MedDiet, and the consumption of fruits and vegetables is related to higher psychological adjustment and health perception. However, the relationships between MedDiet and the psychological variables and health perception were fully or partially explained because of the consumption of healthy and unhealthy foods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mercedes Vélez-Toral
- Department of Social, Developmental and Educational Psychology, University of Huelva, 21007 Huelva, Spain; (M.V.-T.); (M.A.-V.)
| | - Zaira Morales-Domínguez
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Psychology, University of Huelva, 21007 Huelva, Spain;
| | - María del Carmen Granado-Alcón
- Department of Social, Developmental and Educational Psychology, University of Huelva, 21007 Huelva, Spain; (M.V.-T.); (M.A.-V.)
| | - Diego Díaz-Milanés
- Department of Psychology, Universidad Loyola Andalucía, 41704 Sevilla, Spain
| | - Montserrat Andrés-Villas
- Department of Social, Developmental and Educational Psychology, University of Huelva, 21007 Huelva, Spain; (M.V.-T.); (M.A.-V.)
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Borghouts J, Eikey E, Mark G, De Leon C, Schueller SM, Schneider M, Stadnick N, Zheng K, Mukamel D, Sorkin DH. Barriers to and Facilitators of User Engagement With Digital Mental Health Interventions: Systematic Review. J Med Internet Res 2021; 23:e24387. [PMID: 33759801 PMCID: PMC8074985 DOI: 10.2196/24387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 258] [Impact Index Per Article: 86.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Revised: 12/24/2020] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Digital mental health interventions (DMHIs), which deliver mental health support via technologies such as mobile apps, can increase access to mental health support, and many studies have demonstrated their effectiveness in improving symptoms. However, user engagement varies, with regard to a user’s uptake and sustained interactions with these interventions. Objective This systematic review aims to identify common barriers and facilitators that influence user engagement with DMHIs. Methods A systematic search was conducted in the SCOPUS, PubMed, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases. Empirical studies that report qualitative and/or quantitative data were included. Results A total of 208 articles met the inclusion criteria. The included articles used a variety of methodologies, including interviews, surveys, focus groups, workshops, field studies, and analysis of user reviews. Factors extracted for coding were related to the end user, the program or content offered by the intervention, and the technology and implementation environment. Common barriers included severe mental health issues that hampered engagement, technical issues, and a lack of personalization. Common facilitators were social connectedness facilitated by the intervention, increased insight into health, and a feeling of being in control of one’s own health. Conclusions Although previous research suggests that DMHIs can be useful in supporting mental health, contextual factors are important determinants of whether users actually engage with these interventions. The factors identified in this review can provide guidance when evaluating DMHIs to help explain and understand user engagement and can inform the design and development of new digital interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Elizabeth Eikey
- University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Gloria Mark
- University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | | | | | | | - Nicole Stadnick
- University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Kai Zheng
- University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Dana Mukamel
- University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Dara H Sorkin
- University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
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Coca Pereira C, Denizon Arranz S, Moreno Milán B, Pérez Viejo JM, Arranz Carrillo de Albornoz P, García Llana H. Cinco cuestiones esenciales para acompañar en el sufrimiento. PSICOONCOLOGIA 2020. [DOI: 10.5209/psic.71360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
El sufrimiento aparece de manera natural y espontánea cuando no tenemos recursos para hacer frente a una situación que se convierte en una amenaza. Acompañar el sufrimiento no es tarea fácil y requiere destrezas, habilidades y conocimientos, así como desarrollo personal. Identificar y abordar el sufrimiento es una de las principales funciones de la práctica clínica. Poder identificar cómo esta experiencia afecta a los profesionales sanitarios, así como generar estrategias para hacerle frente podría protegernos y facilitar el ejercicio de la ayuda. Este artículo tiene como objetivo principal realizar una revisión teórica, acompañada de claves prácticas, para presentar cinco cuestiones previas que configuran un conocimiento esencial para el acompañamiento. Se pretende estimular la reflexión y el aprendizaje de habilidades que nos permitan desarrollar nuestras acciones desde la consciencia y en coherencia con nuestros valores y objetivos.
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Lydon‐Staley DM, Zurn P, Bassett DS. Within-person variability in curiosity during daily life and associations with well-being. J Pers 2020; 88:625-641. [PMID: 31519052 PMCID: PMC7067659 DOI: 10.1111/jopy.12515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2019] [Revised: 09/04/2019] [Accepted: 09/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Curiosity promotes engagement in novel situations and the accruement of resources that promote well-being. An open question is the extent to which curiosity lability, the degree to which curiosity fluctuates over short timescales, impacts well-being. METHOD We use data from a 21-day daily diary as well as trait measures in 167 participants (mean age = 25.37 years, SD = 7.34) to test (a) the importance of curiosity lability for depression, flourishing, and life satisfaction, (b) day-to-day associations among curiosity and happiness, depressed mood, anxiety, and physical activity, and (c) the role of day's mood as a mediator between physical activity and curiosity. RESULTS We observe positive associations among curiosity lability and depression, as well as negative associations among curiosity lability and both life satisfaction and flourishing. Curiosity is higher on days of greater happiness and physical activity, and lower on days of greater depressed mood. We find evidence consistent with day's depressed mood and happiness being mediators between physical activity and curiosity. CONCLUSIONS Greater consistency in curiosity is associated with well-being. We identify several potential sources of augmentation and blunting of curiosity in daily life and provide support for purported mechanisms linking physical activity to curiosity via mood.
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Affiliation(s)
- David M. Lydon‐Staley
- Department of BioengineeringSchool of Engineering & Applied ScienceUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPAUSA
| | - Perry Zurn
- Department of PhilosophyAmerican UniversityWashingtonDCUSA
| | - Danielle S. Bassett
- Department of BioengineeringSchool of Engineering & Applied ScienceUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPAUSA
- Department of Electrical & Systems EngineeringSchool of Engineering & Applied ScienceUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPAUSA
- Department of NeurologyPerelman School of MedicineUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPAUSA
- Department of Physics & AstronomyCollege of Arts & SciencesUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPAUSA
- Department of PsychiatryPerelman School of MedicineUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPAUSA
- Santa Fe InstituteSanta FeNMUSA
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Görges F, Oehler C, von Hirschhausen E, Hegerl U, Rummel-Kluge C. GET.HAPPY2 - User perspectives on an internet-based self-management positive psychology intervention among persons with and without depression: Results from a retrospective survey. J Clin Psychol 2019; 76:1030-1046. [PMID: 31714609 DOI: 10.1002/jclp.22886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Previous research suggests that online positive psychology interventions (PPI) are frequently used by individuals with symptoms of depression. We aimed to investigate differences in the way depressed and nondepressed users react to the content of an existing online PPI, originally designed for the general public. METHOD In a retrospective online survey, we assessed discontinuation parameters, aspects of satisfaction with the program, and negative reactions among users of an online PPI. RESULTS Bivariate and multivariate analyses showed that, overall, reactions between depressed and nondepressed individuals were similar. Differences were observed concerning reasons for using and for discontinuing the program, the perception of exercises, and negative reactions. CONCLUSIONS Although satisfaction with the program was high, it did not seem to fully meet users' expectations and might be more difficult to complete during episodes of depression. Implications of this study for the adaptation of online PPIs addressing depressed individuals are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frauke Görges
- Depression Research Centre, German Depression Foundation, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Caroline Oehler
- Depression Research Centre, German Depression Foundation, Leipzig, Germany
| | | | - Ulrich Hegerl
- Depression Research Centre, German Depression Foundation, Leipzig, Germany.,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Christine Rummel-Kluge
- Depression Research Centre, German Depression Foundation, Leipzig, Germany.,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
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Anderson CL, Dixson DD, Monroy M, Keltner D. Are awe-prone people more curious? The relationship between dispositional awe, curiosity, and academic outcomes. J Pers 2019; 88:762-779. [PMID: 31705660 DOI: 10.1111/jopy.12524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2018] [Revised: 10/28/2019] [Accepted: 11/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Guided by a functional account of awe, we aimed to test the hypothesis that people who often feel awe are also more curious (Studies 1 and 2), and that this relationship in turn relates to academic outcomes (Study 3). METHOD In Study 1 (n = 1,005), we used a self-report approach to test the relationship between dispositional awe and curiosity. In Study 2 (n = 100), we used a peer-report approach to test if participants' dispositional awe related to how curious they were rated by their friends. In Study 3, in a sample of 447 high school adolescents we tested if dispositional awe related to academic outcomes via curiosity. RESULTS We found that dispositional awe was positively related to people's self-rated curiosity (Study 1) and how curious they were rated by their friends (Study 2). In Study 3, we found that dispositional awe was related to academic outcomes via curiosity. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that among the seven positive emotion dispositions tested, awe was related to unique variance in curiosity, and this link in turn predicted academic outcomes. This work further characterizes awe as an epistemic emotion and suggests that activities that inspire awe may improve academic outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Craig L Anderson
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Dante D Dixson
- Department of Counseling, Educational Psychology, and Special Education, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Maria Monroy
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Dacher Keltner
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
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Lattie EG, Adkins EC, Winquist N, Stiles-Shields C, Wafford QE, Graham AK. Digital Mental Health Interventions for Depression, Anxiety, and Enhancement of Psychological Well-Being Among College Students: Systematic Review. J Med Internet Res 2019; 21:e12869. [PMID: 31333198 PMCID: PMC6681642 DOI: 10.2196/12869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 270] [Impact Index Per Article: 54.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2018] [Revised: 05/29/2019] [Accepted: 06/14/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND College students are increasingly reporting common mental health problems, such as depression and anxiety, and they frequently encounter barriers to seeking traditional mental health treatments. Digital mental health interventions, such as those delivered via the Web and apps, offer the potential to improve access to mental health treatment. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to review the literature on digital mental health interventions focused on depression, anxiety, and enhancement of psychological well-being among samples of college students to identify the effectiveness, usability, acceptability, uptake, and adoption of such programs. METHODS We conducted a systematic review using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines (registration number CRD42018092800), and the search strategy was conducted by a medical research librarian in the following databases: MEDLINE (Ovid), EMBASE (Elsevier), PsycINFO (EbscoHost), the Cochrane Library (Wiley), and Web of Science (Thomson Reuters) from the date of inception to April 2019. Data were synthesized using a systematic narrative synthesis framework, and formal quality assessments were conducted to address the risk of bias. RESULTS A total of 89 studies met the inclusion criteria. The majority of interventions (71/89, 80%) were delivered via a website, and the most common intervention was internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (28, 31%). Many programs (33, 37%) featured human support in the form of coaching. The majority of programs were either effective (42, 47%) or partially effective (30, 34%) in producing beneficial changes in the main psychological outcome variables. Approximately half of the studies (45, 51%) did not present any usability or acceptability outcomes, and few studies (4, 4%) examined a broad implementation of digital mental health interventions on college campuses. Quality assessments revealed a moderate-to-severe risk of bias in many of the studies. CONCLUSIONS Results suggest that digital mental health interventions can be effective for improving depression, anxiety, and psychological well-being among college students, but more rigorous studies are needed to ascertain the effective elements of these interventions. Continued research on improving the user experience of, and thus user engagement with, these programs appears vital for the sustainable implementation of digital mental health interventions on college campuses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily G Lattie
- Center for Behavioral Intervention Technologies, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Elizabeth C Adkins
- Center for Behavioral Intervention Technologies, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Nathan Winquist
- Center for Behavioral Intervention Technologies, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Colleen Stiles-Shields
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Q Eileen Wafford
- Galter Health Sciences Library and Learning Center, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Andrea K Graham
- Center for Behavioral Intervention Technologies, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
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Sanders CA, Schueller SM, Parks AC, Howell RT. Understanding Long-Term Trajectories in Web-Based Happiness Interventions: Secondary Analysis From Two Web-Based Randomized Trials. J Med Internet Res 2019; 21:e13253. [PMID: 31199342 PMCID: PMC6592489 DOI: 10.2196/13253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2018] [Revised: 04/19/2019] [Accepted: 05/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background A critical issue in understanding the benefits of Web-based interventions is the lack of information on the sustainability of those benefits. Sustainability in studies is often determined using group-level analyses that might obscure our understanding of who actually sustains change. Person-centric methods might provide a deeper knowledge of whether benefits are sustained and who tends to sustain those benefits. Objective The aim of this study was to conduct a person-centric analysis of longitudinal outcomes, examining well-being in participants over the first 3 months following a Web-based happiness intervention. We predicted we would find distinct trajectories in people’s pattern of response over time. We also sought to identify what aspects of the intervention and the individual predicted an individual’s well-being trajectory. Methods Data were gathered from 2 large studies of Web-based happiness interventions: one in which participants were randomly assigned to 1 of 14 possible 1-week activities (N=912) and another wherein participants were randomly assigned to complete 0, 2, 4, or 6 weeks of activities (N=1318). We performed a variation of K-means cluster analysis on trajectories of life satisfaction (LS) and affect balance (AB). After clusters were identified, we used exploratory analyses of variance and logistic regression models to analyze groups and compare predictors of group membership. Results Cluster analysis produced similar cluster solutions for each sample. In both cases, participant trajectories in LS and AB fell into 1 of 4 distinct groups. These groups were as follows: those with high and static levels of happiness (n=118, or 42.8%, in Sample 1; n=306, or 52.8%, in Sample 2), those who experienced a lasting improvement (n=74, or 26.8% in Sample 1; n=104, or 18.0%, in Sample 2), those who experienced a temporary improvement but returned to baseline (n=37, or 13.4%, in Sample 1; n=82, or 14.2%, in Sample 2), and those with other trajectories (n=47, or 17.0%, in Sample 1; n=87, or 15.0% in Sample 2). The prevalence of depression symptoms predicted membership in 1 of the latter 3 groups. Higher usage and greater adherence predicted sustained rather than temporary benefits. Conclusions We revealed a few common patterns of change among those completing Web-based happiness interventions. A noteworthy finding was that many individuals began quite happy and maintained those levels. We failed to identify evidence that the benefit of any particular activity or group of activities was more sustainable than any others. We did find, however, that the distressed portion of participants was more likely to achieve a lasting benefit if they continued to practice, and adhere to, their assigned Web-based happiness intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher A Sanders
- Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, Columbia, MO, United States
| | - Stephen M Schueller
- Department of Psychological Science, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | | | - Ryan T Howell
- Psychology Department, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA, United States
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Walsh S, Szymczynska P, Taylor SJ, Priebe S. The acceptability of an online intervention using positive psychology for depression: A qualitative study. Internet Interv 2018; 13:60-66. [PMID: 30206520 PMCID: PMC6112095 DOI: 10.1016/j.invent.2018.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2018] [Revised: 06/25/2018] [Accepted: 07/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Positive psychology interventions may usefully treat depression and can be delivered online to reduce the treatment gap. However, little is known about how acceptable patients find this approach. To address this, the present study interviewed recent users of a positive psychology self-help website. METHODS In-depth semi-structured interviews explored the experiences of twenty-three participants from a larger feasibility study. A stratified purposive sampling strategy selected participants with varying intervention experience according to their intervention logins, as well as varying age, gender and depressive symptoms. Framework analysis was used to explore patterns and linkages within and between participants' accounts. RESULTS Acceptability varied between participants. Those who found it more acceptable felt it was relevant to their depression and reported feeling empowered by a self-help approach. Conversely, participants for whom it was less acceptable perceived the positive focus irrelevant to their depression and found the emphasis on self-action unsupportive. CONCLUSIONS The acceptability of an online positive psychology intervention may be facilitated by a patients' preference for a psychological focus on the positive. However, patients may also have distinct preferences for online self-help. Future research should investigate the importance of the therapeutic orientation of online self-help interventions and whether patients' preferences for these can be reliably identified. This could help to target online self-help in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Walsh
- Queen Mary University of London, Unit for Social and Community Psychiatry (WHO Collaborating Centre for Mental Health Services Development), Glen Road, London, Newham E13 8SP, UK
| | - Paulina Szymczynska
- Queen Mary University of London, Unit for Social and Community Psychiatry (WHO Collaborating Centre for Mental Health Services Development), Glen Road, London, Newham E13 8SP, UK
| | - Stephanie J.C. Taylor
- Centre for Primary Care and Public Health, Blizard Institute Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, Yvonne Carter Building, Turner Street, London E1 2AB, UK
| | - Stefan Priebe
- Queen Mary University of London, Unit for Social and Community Psychiatry (WHO Collaborating Centre for Mental Health Services Development), Glen Road, London, Newham E13 8SP, UK
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Walsh S, Kaselionyte J, Taylor SJC, Priebe S. What might affect acceptability of online positive psychology interventions for depression: a qualitative study on patient expectations'. BMC Psychiatry 2018; 18:240. [PMID: 30053854 PMCID: PMC6062878 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-018-1812-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2017] [Accepted: 07/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Positive psychology interventions are brief self-adminstered exercises designed to promote positive emotions, behaviours, or thoughts. They are potentially effective for reducing depression and are considered suitable for online dissemination to people with depression and related conditions, as they are assumed to be more acceptable than traditional symptom-focused approaches. However, there is little investigation into perceived acceptability and potential factors that might affect it. This might limit the development and evaluation of effective interventions. METHODS Semi-structured interviews with patients with depression and/or anxiety (n = 18) and professionals, including GPs and psychologists (n = 5) were conducted on their perceptions of a proposed online intervention using positive psychology. Thematic analysis, according to Braun and Clarke, was used to identify meaningful patterns in the data. RESULTS Four key themes were identified. The fit between the positive psychological approach and the patient's context, including their personality, symptoms and other treatments, was important in determining acceptability. Social aspects of interventions were thought to facilitate acceptability, as long as these were balanced. Support was identified as important in facilitating intervention suitability, although it was not without limitations. Finally, participants identified how design features can enhance acceptability. CONCLUSIONS The findings suggest that positive psychology interventions might not be acceptable to all and that specific exercises might be more or less appropriate to deliver online. Design aspects can help to facilitate acceptability, beyond the psychological content. These findings may inform the design of future online psychology interventions for people with depression and anxiety, which can then be evaluated in future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Walsh
- Queen Mary University of London, Unit for Social and Community Psychiatry (WHO Collaborating Centre for Mental Health Services Development), Glen Road, London, Newham, E13 8SP, UK.
| | - Justina Kaselionyte
- 0000 0001 2171 1133grid.4868.2Queen Mary University of London, Unit for Social and Community Psychiatry (WHO Collaborating Centre for Mental Health Services Development), Glen Road, London, Newham E13 8SP UK
| | - Stephanie J. C. Taylor
- 0000 0001 2171 1133grid.4868.2Centre for Primary Care and Public Health, Blizard Institute Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Stefan Priebe
- 0000 0001 2171 1133grid.4868.2Queen Mary University of London, Unit for Social and Community Psychiatry (WHO Collaborating Centre for Mental Health Services Development), Glen Road, London, Newham E13 8SP UK
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Kashdan TB, Stiksma MC, Disabato DJ, McKnight PE, Bekier J, Kaji J, Lazarus R. The five-dimensional curiosity scale: Capturing the bandwidth of curiosity and identifying four unique subgroups of curious people. JOURNAL OF RESEARCH IN PERSONALITY 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jrp.2017.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Van Dusen JP, Tiamiyu MF, Kashdan TB, Elhai JD. Gratitude, depression and PTSD: Assessment of structural relationships. Psychiatry Res 2015; 230:867-70. [PMID: 26626947 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2015.11.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2015] [Revised: 10/07/2015] [Accepted: 11/11/2015] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Gratitude, the tendency to appreciate positive occurrences in one's life that can be partially attributed to another person, has been shown to be a robust predictor of greater well-being. Researchers have also found gratitude to be inversely related to several emotional disorders, including major depressive disorder (MDD) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Both of these emotional disorders are highly comorbid and share dysphoric symptoms (e.g., restricted affect, detachment, anhedonia) that could account for deficits in the experience and expression of gratitude. We used confirmatory factor analysis to test the relationships between gratitude and the symptom factors of PTSD (using the DSM-5 model) and MDD in a sample of trauma-exposed college students (N=202). Results indicated that gratitude is more strongly related to PTSD's negative alterations in mood and cognition (NAMC) factor than to other PTSD factors. Implications of these findings for the study of gratitude and trauma are discussed, including whether gratitude and gratitude-based interventions might prove particularly suited to targeting depressive symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Todd B Kashdan
- Psychology Department, George Mason University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Jon D Elhai
- Psychology Department, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, USA.
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Misiak M, Kaczmarek LD, Kashdan TB, Zimny M, Urbański H, Zasiński A, Disabato D. Prenatal exposure to sex hormones predicts gratitude intervention use. Examination of digit ratio, motivational beliefs, and online activities. PERSONALITY AND INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.paid.2014.12.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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Why do people prefer gratitude journaling over gratitude letters? The influence of individual differences in motivation and personality on web-based interventions. PERSONALITY AND INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.paid.2014.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Sheldon KM, Jose PE, Kashdan TB, Jarden A. Personality, Effective Goal-Striving, and Enhanced Well-Being. PERSONALITY AND SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY BULLETIN 2015; 41:575-85. [DOI: 10.1177/0146167215573211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
In a three-wave, year-long, large-sample dataset ( N = 755), 10 candidate “personality strengths” (Grit, Gratitude, Curiosity, Savoring, Control Beliefs, Meaning in Life–Presence, Strengths Use, and Engagement, Pleasure, and Meaning-Based Orientations Toward Happiness) were compared as predictors of 6-month increases in goal attainment, and as moderators of goal attainment effects upon boosted subjective well-being (SWB). Seeking internal replication, we tested our models twice, both during T1-T2 and during T2-T3. We also examined whether any Personality × Attainment moderator effects upon change in SWB at T2 still persisted at T3. Grit was the only candidate strength that predicted increased goal attainment from T1 to T2 and from T2 to T3, and Curiosity was the only candidate strength that moderated attainment effects on well-being from T1 to T2 and from T2 to T3. T2 Goal attainment effects on SWB were best sustained at T3 when Meaning Orientation increased from T1 to T2. Implications for identifying keystone constructs in personality (and positive) psychology are discussed.
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Bujacz A, Vittersø J, Huta V, Kaczmarek LD. Measuring hedonia and eudaimonia as motives for activities: cross-national investigation through traditional and Bayesian structural equation modeling. Front Psychol 2014; 5:984. [PMID: 25249997 PMCID: PMC4157462 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2014.00984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2014] [Accepted: 08/19/2014] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Two major goals of this paper were, first to examine the cross-cultural consistency of the factor structure of the Hedonic and Eudaimonic Motives for Activities (HEMA) scale, and second to illustrate the advantages of using Bayesian estimation for such an examination. Bayesian estimation allows for more flexibility in model specification by making it possible to replace exact zero constraints (e.g., no cross-loadings) with approximate zero constraints (e.g., small cross-loadings). The stability of the constructs measured by the HEMA scale was tested across two national samples (Polish and North American) using both traditional and Bayesian estimation. First, a three-factor model (with hedonic pleasure, hedonic comfort and eudaimonic factors) was confirmed in both samples. Second, a model representing the metric invariance was tested. A traditional approach with maximum likelihood estimation reported a misfit of the model, leading to the acceptance of only a partial metric invariance structure. Bayesian estimation-that allowed for small and sample specific cross-loadings-endorsed the metric invariance model. The scalar invariance was not supported, therefore the comparison between latent factor means was not possible. Both traditional and Bayesian procedures revealed a similar latent factor correlation pattern within each of the national groups. The results suggest that the connection between hedonic and eudaimonic motives depends on which of the two hedonic dimensions is considered. In both groups the association between the eudaimonic factor and the hedonic comfort factor was weaker than the correlation between the hedonic pleasure factor and the eudaimonic factor. In summary, this paper explained the cross-national stability of the three-factor structure of the HEMA scale. In addition, it showed that the Bayesian approach is more informative than the traditional one, because it allows for more flexibility in model specification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Bujacz
- Faculty of Social Sciences, Institute of Psychology, Adam Mickiewicz UniversityPoznañ, Poland
- Department of Psychology, University of TromsøTromsø, Norway
| | - Joar Vittersø
- Department of Psychology, University of TromsøTromsø, Norway
| | - Veronika Huta
- School of Psychology, University of OttawaOttawa, ON, Canada
| | - Lukasz D. Kaczmarek
- Faculty of Social Sciences, Institute of Psychology, Adam Mickiewicz UniversityPoznañ, Poland
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Why do greater curiosity and fewer depressive symptoms predict gratitude intervention use? Utility beliefs, social norm, and self-control beliefs. PERSONALITY AND INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.paid.2014.03.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Instructional support decreases desirability and initiation of a gratitude intervention. PERSONALITY AND INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.paid.2014.02.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Büssing A, Wirth AG, Reiser F, Zahn A, Humbroich K, Gerbershagen K, Schimrigk S, Haupts M, Hvidt NC, Baumann K. Experience of gratitude, awe and beauty in life among patients with multiple sclerosis and psychiatric disorders. Health Qual Life Outcomes 2014; 12:63. [PMID: 24779860 PMCID: PMC4029818 DOI: 10.1186/1477-7525-12-63] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2013] [Accepted: 04/15/2014] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Feelings of gratitude and awe facilitate perceptions and cognitions that go beyond the focus of illness and include positive aspects of one’s personal and interpersonal reality, even in the face of disease. We intended to measure feelings of gratitude, awe, and experiences of beauty in life among patients with multiple sclerosis and psychiatric disorders, particularly with respect to their engagement in specific spiritual/religious practices and their life satisfaction. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional survey with standardized questionnaires to measure engagement in various spiritual practices (SpREUK-P) and their relation to experiences of Gratitude, Awe and Beauty in Life and life satisfaction (BMLSS-10). In total, 461 individuals (41 ± 13 years; 68% women) with multiple sclerosis (46%) and depressive (22%) or other psychiatric disorders (32%) participated. Results Among participants, 23% never, 43% rarely, 24% often, and 10% frequently experienced Gratitude. In contrast, 41% never, 37% rarely, 17% often, and 6% frequently experienced Awe. Beauty in Life was never experienced by 8% of the sample, and 28% rarely, 46% often, and 18% frequently experienced it. Gratitude (F = 9.2; p = .003) and Beauty in Life (F = 6.0; p = .015) were experienced significantly more often by women than men. However, the experience of Awe did not differ between women and men (F = 2.2; n.s.). In contrast to our hypothesis, Gratitude/Awe cannot explain any relevant variance in patients’ life satisfaction (R2 = .04). Regression analyses (R2 = .42) revealed that Gratitude/Awe can be predicted best by a person’s engagement in religious practices, followed by other forms of spiritual practices and life satisfaction. Female gender was a weak predictor and underlying disease showed no effect. Conclusions Gratitude/Awe could be regarded as a life orientation towards noticing and appreciating the positive in life - despite the symptoms of disease. Positive spirituality/religiosity seems to be a source of gratitude and appreciation in life, whereas patients with neither spiritual nor religious sentiments (R-S-) seem to have a lower awareness for these feelings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arndt Büssing
- Quality of Life, Spirituality and Coping, Institute of Integrative Medicine, Faculty of Health, University Witten/Herdecke, Herdecke, Germany.
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Polish version of Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D): results of a preliminary study on the psychometric properties of the scale. CURRENT ISSUES IN PERSONALITY PSYCHOLOGY 2013. [DOI: 10.5114/cipp.2013.40637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
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