Modification of Affective Trajectory in a Positive Psychology Intervention.

Enhancing positive affect (PA) and reducing negative affect (NA) are targets of positive psychology interventions, and well-being and positive functioning are core elements of mental health. However, the underlying temporal dynamics of these elements are unknown. This study aimed at identifying how a 42-day daily positive psychology intervention (PPI) impacts affective longitudinal dynamics compared to a control condition. This study employed an experience sampling method (self-observation diary including the Measurement of Affectivity: Valence/Activation scale, MAVA) with two non-randomised groups-a control group (n = 43) and an intervention group (n = 43)-taken from a community sample. Compared to the control participants, the PPI participants' trajectories for activated and deactivated NA showed an important decrease over the course of the PPI. The deactivated PA trajectory increased non-linearly across the PPI, whereas the activated PA trajectory showed a linear increase. This study suggests that PPIs change daily affective life.

Positive psychology intervention for couples: A pilot study.

In this randomized study, a multicomponent, theory-driven, autonomous self-help positive psychology intervention (PPI) for couples was examined. This intervention was not designed for distressed couples but rather to address autonomous couples with a good initial level of functioning who, nonetheless, wished to improve it. The objective was to assess the efficacy of the PPI on satisfaction with life, affective life, communication patterns, and dyadic adjustment in each member of the dyad. The 4-week PPI encompassed dyadic and individual daily activities. Thirty-eight couples were assigned to an intervention group (n = 20 couples) or a waiting list control (WLC) group (n = 18 couples). Assessments were conducted prior to and after the PPI, with an immediate post-test and a follow-up. Ninety-two percent of the PPI was completed by the participants. Linear mixed models revealed improvements in positive emotions, communication patterns of mutuality, and dyadic adjustment from the pretest to the immediate post-test in the intervention group compared with the WLC group. Effects of dyadic adjustment were maintained from pretest to 1-month follow-up in the intervention group. This pilot study suggests that the realization of intentional dyadic activities presents an interesting approach to contribute to individual positive emotions and dyadic functioning.

Between-Individual Differences in Baseline Well-Being and Emotion Regulation Strategy Use Moderate the Effect of a Self-Help Cognitive-Behavioral Intervention for Typical Adults.

BACKGROUND: Self-help interventions intended to help nonclinical individuals regulate their emotions can have important social benefits (i.e. mental disorder prevention, well-being promotion). However, their mean effect size on well-being is generally low, possibly because there are considerable between-individual differences in the response to these interventions. The present study examined whether individuals' baseline levels of emotional well-being and engagement in emotion regulation strategies moderate the effects on these same variables in a 4-week self-help cognitive-behavioral intervention intended for typical adults. METHODS: Data were collected from 158 nonclinical French adults (n = 95 for the control group, n = 63 for the cognitive-behavioral group) using experience sampling. Emotional well-being was assessed, as well as the engagement in three emotion regulation strategies (i.e. cognitive reappraisal, problem solving, and appreciation). RESULTS: As expected, the post-test scores on some variables were significantly predicted by the interactions between the intervention and the pre-test scores on these same variables. In particular, it was the participants with the most negative baseline levels (i.e. low emotional well-being, low engagement in appreciation) who benefitted most from the intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Results are discussed in the light of current knowledge on between-individual differences in how individuals respond to interventions.

Validation of the French version of the Forms of Self-Criticizing/Attacking and Self-Reassuring Scale.

BACKGROUND: Self-criticism and self-reassurance are internal processes of self-to-self relating that have received increasing attention in psychology. The Forms of Self-Criticizing/Attacking and Self-Reassuring Scale (FSCRS), which was first studied by Gilbert, Clarke, Hempel, Miles, and Irons, is a self-report instrument that has been used in various populations and has shown satisfactory reliability. The goal of this work is to explore the psychometric properties of a French version of the scale in a large nonclinical sample. METHOD: Data from 285 nonclinical participants were analysed. RESULTS: Confirmatory factor analysis indicated an acceptable to good fit of the FSCRS items to a three-factor model. Good internal consistency and convergent validity were found. CONCLUSIONS: The French validation results corroborate previous findings in a nonclinical population and confirm that the French version of the FSCRS is a robust and reliable instrument.

A Mindfulness-Based Intervention: Differential Effects on Affective and Processual Evolution.

OBJECTIVES: A 20-minutes-a-day, self-help, mindfulness-based intervention was conducted for 6 weeks with a French community sample. First, the intervention effects on affective and functioning variables were evaluated. Then, a differential approach was used to examine improvement potentiality and the perceived benefits of mindfulness according to the participants' baseline mindfulness competencies. METHOD: Participants were non-randomly assigned to a control group on the waiting list (n = 44) or a mindfulness group (n = 47). Self-report measures assessed anxiety, depression, psychological distress, mindfulness, negative self-oriented cognition, and experiential avoidance. RESULTS: Improvements in the variables were observed for the mindfulness group but not for the control group, with effect sizes ranging between .53 and .88. Low baseline levels of mindfulness predicted greater improvement in mindfulness (r = -0.55, p < .001) than high baseline levels. CONCLUSIONS: Mindfulness practice elicited several positive outcomes regarding affective variables, highlighting emotional functioning changes.

Rumination and Mindlessness Processes: Trajectories of Change in a 42-Day Mindfulness-Based Intervention.

This preliminary study aimed to understand the effects of an autonomous mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) on mindlessness propensities: rumination, automatic pilot functioning, and attentional distractibility. The ecological momentary assessment was completed by community participants assigned to two nonrandomized groups: an experimental group (n = 45) that practiced 20-minute daily mindfulness meditation for 42 days and a control group (n = 44) that was on the waiting list for the MBI. All participants completed a self-assessment on rumination and mindlessness propensities twice a day. The MBI led to a favorable gradual decrease in automatic pilot functioning and attentional distractibility. Rumination evolved in three stages: a rapid decrease during the first week, a stabilization phase between the 10th and 30th days, and an additional decrease after 30 days of practice. This innovative study provides a promising perspective regarding rumination, automatic pilot functioning, and attentional distractibility dynamic trajectories over the course of an MBI.