scholarly journals Loving-Kindness Meditation to Target Affect in Mood Disorders: A Proof-of-Concept Study

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefan G. Hofmann ◽  
Nicola Petrocchi ◽  
James Steinberg ◽  
Muyu Lin ◽  
Kohki Arimitsu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Negative Affect ◽  
Positive Affect ◽  
Mood Disorders ◽  
Group Intervention ◽  
Positive Emotions ◽  
Emotional States ◽  
Proof Of Concept ◽  
Loving Kindness ◽  
Concept Evaluation ◽  
Additional Support

Conventional treatments for mood disorders primarily focus on reducing negative affect, but little on enhancing positive affect. Loving-kindness meditation (LKM) is a traditional meditation practice directly oriented toward enhancing unconditional and positive emotional states of kindness towards oneself and others. We report here two independent and uncontrolled studies carried out at different centers, one in Boston, USA (n= 10), and one in Frankfurt, Germany (n= 8), to examine the potential therapeutic utility of a brief LKM group intervention for symptoms of dysthymia and depression. Results at both centers suggest that LKM was associated with large-sized effects on self-reported symptoms of depression (d= 3.33 and 1.90), negative affect (d= 1.98 and 0.92), and positive affect (d= 1.63 and 0.94). Large effects were also found for clinician-reported changes in depression, rumination and specific positive emotions, and moderate effects for changes in adaptive emotion regulation strategies. The qualitative data analyses provide additional support for the potential clinical utility of the intervention. This proof-of-concept evaluation of LKM as a clinical strategy warrants further investigation.

scholarly journals The Importance of Positive Events When Living With Chronic Pain

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 309-309
Author(s):  
Julie Kircher ◽  
Susan Charles ◽  
Nancy Sin ◽  
David Almeida
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Pain ◽  
Negative Affect ◽  
Positive Affect ◽  
Positive Emotions ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Positive Events ◽  
Pain Status ◽  
Daily Events ◽  
Multi Level

Abstract Chronic pain is a common condition in later life that is related to high levels of anxiety and depression. One reason why chronic pain is related to affective distress is that this condition may prevent people from deriving the same positive emotions from enjoyable activities. Few studies, however, have examined how exposure and reactivity to daily events differ by chronic pain status. We hypothesized that those with chronic pain will have less exposure and less positive affect reactivity to positive daily events compared to those without chronic pain. Participants from the diary substudy of MIDUS (N = 1,733; nChronicPain = 658, nNoPain = 1,075; M = 56 years-old) completed eight interview days. Chronic pain status was unrelated to the frequency of positive events. Multi-level models revealed that although people with chronic pain had lower levels of daily positive affect, they reacted more positively to daily events (γ = -.033, SE = .010, p < .0001). As a result, levels of daily positive affect on days when people experienced a positive event did not vary by pain status (MChronicPain = 2.73, MNoPain = 2.75). People with chronic pain averaged higher levels of daily negative affect compared to people without chronic pain (MChronicPain = .21, M NoPain =.20), but, on days when they experience a positive event, those with chronic pain had a greater decrease in their negative affect. Findings suggest that positive events impact those with chronic pain more than they do individuals without chronic pain.

Preference for Non-Cooperative Economic Strategies is Associated with Lower Perceived Self-Efficacy, Fewer Positive Emotions, and Less Optimism

2014 ◽  
Vol 115 (1) ◽  
pp. 199-212
Author(s):  
Vassia Karamanoli ◽  
Kyriaki Fousiani ◽  
Maria Sakalaki
Keyword(s):  
Negative Affect ◽  
Positive Affect ◽  
Experimental Research ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Positive Emotion ◽  
Positive Emotions ◽  
Negative Association ◽  
Positive Thinking ◽  
Game Situation ◽  
Economic Strategies

The goal was to investigate the association of economic opportunism with self-efficacy, optimism, and positive emotion. It was hypothesized that economic opportunists should experience lower self-efficacy, less positive thinking, and less optimism. Study 1 ( N = 206) showed that economic opportunism was negatively correlated with self-efficacy, optimism, and positive affect, and positively correlated with negative affect. Study 2 ( N = 128) indicated that individuals reporting higher self-efficacy were less likely to defect on their counterparts in a game situation. These findings show the negative association of opportunistic propensity with self-efficacy and positive emotions. Implications for experimental research on economic opportunism and positive emotions are discussed.

scholarly journals Hooked on a Feeling: Influence of Brief Exposure to Familiar Music on Feelings of Emotion in Individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease

2020 ◽  
Vol 78 (3) ◽  
pp. 1019-1031
Author(s):  
Alaine E. Reschke-Hernández ◽  
Amy M. Belfi ◽  
Edmarie Guzmán-Vélez ◽  
Daniel Tranel
Keyword(s):  
Negative Affect ◽  
Positive Affect ◽  
Positive Emotions ◽  
Emotional State ◽  
Declarative Memory ◽  
Music Listening ◽  
Therapeutic Tool ◽  
Impaired Memory ◽  
Post Induction ◽  
Sad Music

Background: Research has indicated that individuals with Alzheimer’s-type dementia (AD) can experience prolonged emotions, even when they cannot recall the eliciting event. Less is known about whether music can modify the emotional state of individuals with AD and whether emotions evoked by music linger in the absence of a declarative memory for the eliciting event. Objective: We examined the effects of participant-selected recorded music on self-reported feelings of emotion in individuals with AD, and whether these feelings persisted irrespective of declarative memory for the emotion-inducing stimuli. Methods: Twenty participants with AD and 19 healthy comparisons (HCs) listened to two 4.5-minute blocks of self-selected music that aimed to induce either sadness or happiness. Participants reported their feelings at baseline and three times post-induction and completed recall and recognition tests for the music selections after each induction. Results: Participants with AD had impaired memory for music selections compared to HCs. Both groups reported elevated sadness and negative affect after listening to sad music and increased happiness and positive affect after listening to happy music, relative to baseline. Sad/negative and happy/positive emotions endured up to 20 minutes post-induction. Conclusion: Brief exposure to music can induce strong and lingering emotions in individuals with AD. These findings extend the intriguing phenomenon whereby lasting emotions can be prompted by stimuli that are not remembered declaratively. Our results underscore the utility of familiar music for inducing emotions in individuals with AD and may ultimately inform strategies for using music listening as a therapeutic tool with this population.

scholarly journals Proof of concept of a treatment for fibromyalgia based on physical activity, psychological support, and exposure to nature (NAT-FM)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan P. Sanabria-Mazo ◽  
Mayte Serrat ◽  
Corel Mateo Canedo ◽  
Albert Feliu Soler ◽  
Míriam Almirall ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Negative Affect ◽  
Positive Affect ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Pain Catastrophizing ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Proof Of Concept ◽  
Preliminary Assessment ◽  
Physical Limitations

Aim: To provide a preliminary assessment of the efficacy of the NAT-FM protocol as a complimentary treatment in patients with fibromyalgia (FM). Methods: A trial was conducted, with two arms: TAU (n = 6) and TAU+NAT-FM (n = 6). Results: There was a reduction in physical limitations and anxious/depressive symptoms and an improvement in positive affect in the intervention group. Also, this group showed a decrease in pain, catastrophizing, negative affect, and positively refocusing, and an increase in positive affect. Intrasession assessments showed an increase in positive affect, self-efficacy, and energy, along with a decrease in stress. Intersession assessments revealed an increase in pain, valence, and dominance. Conclusion: The results suggest the appropriateness of the NAT-FM protocol.

scholarly journals Empirical validation of the integrative psychological group intervention for women with breast cancer - preliminary results

2019 ◽  
Vol 76 (10) ◽  
pp. 1022-1028 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivana Novakov ◽  
Svetlana Popovic-Petrovic ◽  
Tihomir Dugandzija ◽  
Milanka Tatic
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Regression Analysis ◽  
Negative Affect ◽  
Positive Affect ◽  
Group Intervention ◽  
Affective State ◽  
Cancer Surgery ◽  
T Test ◽  
Breast Cancer Surgery ◽  
Symptoms Of Depression

Background/Aim. Breast cancer diagnosis is an extremely stressful life event that brings a number of physical and psychological challenges. However, supportive and psychoeducational group interventions can significantly decrease psychological distress in patients. The aim of this study was to empirically validate the effects of the integrative psychological group intervention, regarding the affective state of women who underwent breast cancer surgery at the Oncology Institute of Vojvodina. Methods. This study was conducted on a sample of 30 women, with the average age of 53.17 years (standard deviation ? SD = 10.09). Following the surgical intervention, the inpatients participated in an integrative group session consisting of the following parts: 1) supportive-expressive, 2) psycho-educational and 3) healtheducational. Before the session, participants filled in a demographic data questionnaire, measures of positive and negative affect (PANAS), optimism (LOT-R), hope (AHS), neuroticism (BFI) and symptoms of depression (DASS-21). At the end of the group sessions, the participants filled in the PANAS again. Results. A paired-samples t-test showed that following an intervention, a statistically significant increase in positive affect had occurred (t(29) = -4.44, p < 0.001). For negative affect, the t-test also yields the statistically significant results (t(29) = 5.60, p < 0.001), showing that intervention led to a significant decrease in negative affect. The nonparametric Wilcoxon Signed-Rank test also confirmed these results. The multiple regression analysis (F (4, 25) = 3.46, p = 0.02) showed that high neuroticism and low symptoms of depression significantly predicted a greater increase in positive affect following the session. Another regression analysis (F (4, 25) = 3.32, p = 0.03) showed that the higher symptoms of depression and, marginally, higher hope significantly predicted a greater decrease in negative affect. Conclusion. Our results showed that the integrative psychological group intervention had positive short-term effects regarding the affective state of women who underwent breast cancer surgery, and that different psychological variables can play a significant role in prediction of changes in patients? affect.

Positive and negative affect during the COVID-19 pandemic quarantine in Portugal

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eulalia Santos ◽  
Vanessa Ratten ◽  
Ana Diogo ◽  
Fernando Tavares
Keyword(s):  
Negative Affect ◽  
Positive Affect ◽  
Discriminant Validity ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Positive And Negative Affect ◽  
Emotional States ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Two Factors

Purpose The COVID-19 pandemic has spread rapidly around the world and Portugal is no exception. Positive and negative effects are extremely important in individual's life experiences and in particular in the context of the quarantine, in which it is important to maintain the balance between favorable and unfavorable situations. The purpose of this paper is to study in depth the intensity of the affect during the COVID-19 pandemic in Portugal and to validate a scale of positive and negative affect in the context of quarantine and confinement. Design/methodology/approach The methodology used is of a quantitative nature, based on a questionnaire survey to measure the intensity of the affects and to analyze some sociodemographic variables. The sample consists of 726 individuals of age 18 years or older, who were in Portugal during the quarantine of the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings The results show that respondents were concerned, anxious, well-disposed and impatient. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis applied to affects produced a latent structure with two factors: negative affect and positive affect. The affect scale has adequate convergent and discriminant validity and good internal consistency, with negative affect being experienced by individuals with greater intensity compared to positive affect. Originality/value It is hoped that this study contributes to an increase in the scientific knowledge in the field of the affects in the context of delicate situations such as the pandemic COVID-19 so that health professionals can intervene to improve individual’s well-being. This is an important way to provide better health policy that considers in more depth individual wellbeing and emotions during times of crisis. Limitations and suggestions for future research are also stated that highlight the importance of understanding emotional states of individuals during crisis events.

Positive Emotions Trigger Upward Spirals Toward Emotional Well-Being

2002 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 172-175 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara L. Fredrickson ◽  
Thomas Joiner
Keyword(s):  
Health Promotion ◽  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Negative Affect ◽  
Positive Affect ◽  
Positive Emotions ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Regression Analyses ◽  
Broaden And Build Theory ◽  
And Coping

The broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions predicts that positive emotions broaden the scopes of attention and cognition, and, by consequence, initiate upward spirals toward increasing emotional well-being. The present study assessed this prediction by testing whether positive affect and broad-minded coping reciprocally and prospectively predict one another. One hundred thirty-eight college students completed self-report measures of affect and coping at two assessment periods 5 weeks apart. As hypothesized, regression analyses showed that initial positive affect, but not negative affect, predicted improved broad-minded coping, and initial broad-minded coping predicted increased positive affect, but not reductions in negative affect. Further mediational analyses showed that positive affect and broad-minded coping serially enhanced one another. These findings provide prospective evidence to support the prediction that positive emotions initiate upward spirals toward enhanced emotional well-being. Implications for clinical practice and health promotion are discussed.

scholarly journals Effects of full-body mirror exposure on eating pathology, body image and emotional states: Comparison between positive and negative verbalization

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (9) ◽  
pp. e0257303
Author(s):  
Julia A. Tanck ◽  
Andrea S. Hartmann ◽  
Jennifer Svaldi ◽  
Silja Vocks
Keyword(s):  
Body Image ◽  
Negative Affect ◽  
Positive Affect ◽  
Body Satisfaction ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Eating Pathology ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Emotional States ◽  
Mirror Exposure ◽  
Full Body

Mirror exposure (ME) is an effective technique to improve body image. However, evidence on the underlying mechanisms and the optimal verbalization instruction during ME is lacking. Therefore, this experimental study analyzed mechanisms of ME and therapeutic outcomes by comparing positive (PV) and negative (NV) full-body verbalization. N = 73 healthy females were randomized to a PV or an NV condition. PV participants verbalized positively while NV participants verbalized negatively about their whole body. Each participant underwent three standardized ME sessions. Before and after each ME session, positive affect, negative affect and body satisfaction were assessed. Before the first and after the third ME, participants completed questionnaires on cognitive-affective and behavioral aspects of body image, eating pathology and self-esteem. Regarding within-ME changes, the results indicate that positive affect and body satisfaction decreased while negative affect increased in the NV group but not in the PV group. In contrast, regarding between-ME changes, decreased negative affect as well as positive affect and increased body satisfaction were observed in both groups. However, eating pathology remained stable, whereas body-checking behavior increased and the PV condition was followed by higher levels of self-esteem compared to the NV condition. These findings suggest that both PV and NV improve negative affect and body satisfaction between-ME, and thus seem to be effective ME instructions. Given that NV led to increased negative affect within-ME and did not influence self-esteem, PV might represent the favorable instruction during ME for body-satisfied women.

scholarly journals How mindfulness training promotes positive emotions: Dismantling acceptance skills training in two randomized controlled trials

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily K Lindsay ◽  
Brian Chin ◽  
Carol M. Greco ◽  
Shinzen Young ◽  
Kirk Warren Brown ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Negative Affect ◽  
Positive Affect ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trials ◽  
Positive Emotions ◽  
Daily Life ◽  
Skills Training ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Present Moment ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Mindfulness Interventions

Mindfulness meditation interventions – which train skills in monitoring present-moment experiences with a lens of acceptance – have shown promise for increasing positive emotions. Using a theory-based approach, we hypothesized that learning acceptance skills in mindfulness interventions helps people notice more positive experiences in daily life, and tested whether removing acceptance training from mindfulness interventions would eliminate intervention- related boosts in positive affect. In two randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of stressed community adults, mindfulness skills were dismantled into two structurally equivalent interventions: (1) training in both monitoring and acceptance (Monitor+Accept) and (2) training in monitoring only (Monitor Only) without acceptance training. Study 1 tested 8-week group- based Monitor+Accept and Monitor Only interventions compared to a no treatment control group. Study 2 tested 2-week smartphone-based Monitor+Accept and Monitor Only interventions compared to an active control training. In both studies, end-of-day and momentary positive affect and negative affect were measured in daily life for three days pre- and post- intervention using ambulatory assessments. As predicted, across two RCTs, Monitor+Accept training increased positive affect compared to both Monitor Only and control groups. In Study 1, this effect was observed in end-of-day positive affect. In Study 2, this effect was found in both end-of-day and momentary positive affect outcomes. In contrast, all active interventions in Studies 1 and 2 decreased negative affect. These studies provide the first experimental evidence that developing an orientation of acceptance toward present-moment experiences is a central mechanism of mindfulness interventions for boosting positive emotions in daily life.

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