Table 1 Individual-based PP interventions evaluated in randomized-controlled trials
Positive Psychology (PP) intervention | Psychological well-being and other psychosocial outcomes effectively changed | Example references |
|---|---|---|
Gratitude (e.g., gratitude for positive events, counting blessings, gratitude visit, or gratitude letter) | Life satisfaction (↑), optimism (↑), positive affect (↑), happiness (↑), depression symptoms (↓), negative affect (↓) | A1- A5 |
Best possible self | Life satisfaction (↑), optimism (↑), positive affect (↑) | A4, A6-A8 |
Acts of kindness | Life satisfaction (↑), optimism (↑), anxiety symptoms (↓), social connection (↑) | A5, A9 |
Use of character strengths | Happiness (↑), depressive symptoms (↓) | A3 |
Savoring or capitalizing on positive events | Positive affect (↑), life satisfaction (↑), depression symptoms (↓) | A10 |
Forgiveness | Positive affect (↑), anxiety symptoms (↓), depression symptoms (↓) | A11, A12 |
Mindfulness | Positive affect (↑), post-traumatic growth (↑), perceived stress (↓), depression symptoms (↓), anxiety symptoms (↓), quality of life (↑) | A13-A16 |
Multicomponent PP interventions (i.e., two or more interventions as those reported above, provided across several sessions) | Positive affect (↑), depression symptoms (↓), anxiety symptoms (↓), quality of life (↑) | A17-A23 |