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Enhancing well-being and alleviating depressive symptoms with positive psychology interventions: a practice-friendly meta-analysis
Open accessAbstract
Do positive psychology interventions-that is, treatment methods or intentional activities aimed at cultivating positive feelings, positive behaviors, or positive cognitions-enhance well-being and ameliorate depressive symptoms? A meta-analysis of 51 such interventions with 4,266 individuals was conducted to address this question and to provide practical guidance to clinicians. The results revealed that positive psychology interventions do indeed significantly enhance well-being (mean r=.29) and decrease depressive symptoms (mean r=.31). In addition, several factors were found to impact the effectiveness of positive psychology interventions, including the depression status, self-selection, and age of participants, as well as the format and duration of the interventions. Accordingly, clinicians should be encouraged to incorporate positive psychology techniques into their clinical work, particularly for treating clients who are depressed, relatively older, or highly motivated to improve. Our findings also suggest that clinicians would do well to deliver positive psychology interventions as individual (versus group) therapy and for relatively longer periods of time.
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TL;DR
This meta-analysis of 51 positive psychology interventions with 4,266 participants found that such interventions significantly improved well-being and reduced depressive symptoms. Effects were medium-sized and moderated by participant and intervention features, supporting clinical use especially for depressed, older, self-selected clients and individual, longer formats.
Key findings
- Across 49 well-being studies (4,235 participants), the mean effect size was r = .29 (median .24; range −.31 to .84; 96% positive), significant in fixed- and random-effects models; the fail-safe N was 2,519 versus a tolerance level of 255.
- Across 25 depression studies (1,812 participants), the mean effect size was r = .31 (median .26; range −.28 to .81; 80% favoring the intervention), significant in both models; the fail-safe N was 420 versus a tolerance level of 135.
- Moderators: depressed status and self-selection predicted greater benefit in fixed-effects analyses only; older age predicted greater benefit in both models; individual therapy outperformed group and self-administered formats in both models; longer duration predicted greater well-being gains in fixed effects (random-effects p = .09) but not depression; comparison group type moderated well-being in fixed effects only.
- A binomial effect size display indicated that in a hypothetical group of 200, 65 intervention recipients versus 35 controls would improve well-being, and 66 versus 34 would reduce depression.
Methods
- Meta-analysis of English-language positive psychology intervention studies from 1977–2008. Inclusion required an intervention aimed at increasing positive feelings, behaviors, or cognitions; pre- and post-intervention well-being or depression measures; a comparison group; and effect-size information. Physical health/physical activity and mood-induction studies were excluded.
- Coded moderators included depression status, age, self-selection, intervention format, duration, and comparison group type. Effect sizes were computed as r from d, F, t, p, or descriptive statistics; multiple measures were averaged via Fisher Z transformations.
- Analyses used fixed- and random-effects models, Stouffer-combined significance tests, one-sample t-tests on mean Fisher Z effects, fail-safe N and tolerance estimates, chi-square heterogeneity tests, and contrast/correlation tests for moderators.
Limitations
- The authors state that the meta-analysis is not exhaustive and that moderator findings cannot be interpreted causally because studies were not randomly assigned to moderator levels. They also note likely file-drawer bias for well-being, though the fail-safe N exceeded the tolerance level.
- Evident from the text: the review is limited to English-language studies from 1977–2008 and samples adjacent literatures (e.g., mindfulness, life review, forgiveness), which may restrict generalizability. Fixed- and random-effects models disagreed for some moderators (depression status, self-selection, and comparison group type for well-being), and older adults could not be analyzed for depression because too few studies were available.
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In the paper
“For depression, however, the moderating effect of intervention duration was not significant based on both the fixed effects and random effects models.”
§ Enhancing Well-Being and Alleviating Depressive Symptoms With Positive Psychology Interventions: A Practice-Friendly Meta-Analysis m > Methodological Moderators
Strength:plain· not yet calibratedTests✓ Asserted: passes✓ Checkable: passes? Load-bearing: unclear✓ Based: passesA result the paper reports from its own data — it cites no other source for it, so there is none to check. The quote shows it is in the paper.
In the paper
“Individuals who elected to participate in a PPI-perhaps expecting that the intervention would make them happier or less depressed-were more likely to experience greater gains in WB and depression compared with their non-self-selected counterparts, based on the fixed effects model.”
§ Enhancing Well-Being and Alleviating Depressive Symptoms With Positive Psychology Interventions: A Practice-Friendly Meta-Analysis m > Participant Moderators
Strength:hedged· not yet calibratedCausal:correlational· not yet calibratedTests✓ Asserted: passes✓ Checkable: passes? Load-bearing: unclear✓ Based: passesA result the paper reports from its own data — it cites no other source for it, so there is none to check. The quote shows it is in the paper.
In the paper
“The results revealed that positive psychology interventions do indeed significantly enhance well-being (mean r 5 .29)and decrease depressive symptoms (mean r 5 .31).”
- Also stated in: § Depression · boosted
“The unweighted mean r of .31 was close to the median r (.26) and was highly significant based on both the fixed effects (one-tailed p 5 2 Â 10 À12 ) and the random effects (one-tailed p 5 .0001)models.”
- Also stated in: § Clinical Practices Do positive psychology interventions effectively boost well-being and ameliorate depression? · boosted
“The combined results of 49 studies revealed that PPIs do, in fact, significantly enhance WB, and the combined results of 25 studies showed that PPIs are also effective for treating depressive symptoms.”
§ Enhancing Well-Being and Alleviating Depressive Symptoms With Positive Psychology Interventions: A Practice-Friendly Meta-Analysis m > Abstract
Tests✓ Asserted: passes✓ Checkable: passes✓ Load-bearing: passes✓ Based: passes- Also stated in: § Depression · boosted
A result the paper reports from its own data — it cites no other source for it, so there is none to check. The quote shows it is in the paper.
In the paper
“Although there were not enough studies to include the ''older adult'' group in the moderator analysis for depression, the other age groups nevertheless showed larger decreases in depression as a linear function of age.”
§ Enhancing Well-Being and Alleviating Depressive Symptoms With Positive Psychology Interventions: A Practice-Friendly Meta-Analysis m > Participant Moderators
Strength:plain· not yet calibratedCausal:direct· not yet calibratedTests✓ Asserted: passes✓ Checkable: passes? Load-bearing: unclear✓ Based: passesA result the paper reports from its own data — it cites no other source for it, so there is none to check. The quote shows it is in the paper.
In the paper
“Depressed individuals benefited more from PPIs than nondepressed individuals, according to the fixed effects moderator analysis.”
§ Enhancing Well-Being and Alleviating Depressive Symptoms With Positive Psychology Interventions: A Practice-Friendly Meta-Analysis m > Participant Moderators
Strength:plain· not yet calibratedCausal:direct· not yet calibratedTests✓ Asserted: passes✓ Checkable: passes? Load-bearing: unclear✓ Based: passesA result the paper reports from its own data — it cites no other source for it, so there is none to check. The quote shows it is in the paper.
In the paper
“The type of comparison group did not have a moderating effect on shifts in depression, based on both the fixed effects and the random effects models.”
§ Enhancing Well-Being and Alleviating Depressive Symptoms With Positive Psychology Interventions: A Practice-Friendly Meta-Analysis m > Methodological Moderators
Load-bearingStrength:plain· not yet calibratedTests✓ Asserted: passes✓ Checkable: passes✓ Load-bearing: passes✓ Based: passesIn the paper
“In addition, causal conclusions cannot be drawn regarding the moderators because the studies were not randomly assigned to particular moderator levels (Rosenthal, 1991b, p. 81).”
§ Enhancing Well-Being and Alleviating Depressive Symptoms With Positive Psychology Interventions: A Practice-Friendly Meta-Analysis m > Clinical Practices Do positive psychology interventions effectively boost well-being and ameliorate depression?
What the sources say
- Not matchedcites Rosenthal, 1991b
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
Load-bearingStrength:plain· not yet calibratedTests✓ Asserted: passes✓ Checkable: passes✓ Load-bearing: passes✓ Based: passes- Not matched
None of the sources cited for this claim have been checked yet.
In the paper
“Several studies have found that exerting high levels of effort to practice a happiness-boosting strategy, and continuing to practice it even after the intervention is over, results in greater improvements in WB and depression (e.g., Lyubomirsky et al., 2008;Seligman et al., 2005).”
§ Enhancing Well-Being and Alleviating Depressive Symptoms With Positive Psychology Interventions: A Practice-Friendly Meta-Analysis m > Clinical Practices Do positive psychology interventions effectively boost well-being and ameliorate depression?
What the sources say
- Not matchedcites Lyubomirsky et al., 2008
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
- Not checked — no full text of the sourcecites Seligman et al., 2005 source
Tests✓ Asserted: passes✓ Checkable: passes✓ Load-bearing: passes✓ Based: passes- Not matched
A conclusion the paper draws from its own results — it cites no other source for it, so there is none to check. The quote shows it is in the paper.
In the paper
“This indicates that participation in PPIs may be more effective for relieving depression than participation in a no-treatment control group, placebo activity, or treatment as usual.”
§ Enhancing Well-Being and Alleviating Depressive Symptoms With Positive Psychology Interventions: A Practice-Friendly Meta-Analysis m > Methodological Moderators
Tests✓ Asserted: passes✓ Checkable: passes✓ Load-bearing: passes✓ Based: passesWhat the paper did — it cites no source for this, so there is none to check. The quote shows it is in the paper.
In the paper
“The file drawer problem was unlikely to threaten the significant results, given that the fail-safe N was 420, which exceeded the tolerance level of 135.”
§ Enhancing Well-Being and Alleviating Depressive Symptoms With Positive Psychology Interventions: A Practice-Friendly Meta-Analysis m > Depression
Strength:hedged· not yet calibratedn = 1,812Tests✓ Asserted: passes✓ Checkable: passes? Load-bearing: unclear✓ Based: passes- The authors state this as an assumption: The number of unpublished studies is not five times greater than the number of published studies.
- It may state two separate claims as one. 12
- The quote only partly states this claim. 2
- Probably not a substantial claim. 1
A result the paper reports from its own data — it cites no other source for it, so there is none to check. The quote shows it is in the paper.
In the paper
“Intervention format had a significant moderating effect on the effectiveness of PPIs, based on both the fixed effects and the random effects models.Specifically, the mean r effect size was greatest for individual therapy, followed by group-administered PPIs, then self-administered PPIs.”
§ Enhancing Well-Being and Alleviating Depressive Symptoms With Positive Psychology Interventions: A Practice-Friendly Meta-Analysis m > Methodological Moderators
Tests✓ Asserted: passes✓ Checkable: passes✓ Load-bearing: passes✓ Based: passesIt may state two separate claims as one.
A result the paper reports from its own data — it cites no other source for it, so there is none to check. The quote shows it is in the paper.
In the paper
“Moreover, as in the case of well-being, the set of effect sizes was heterogeneous”
§ Enhancing Well-Being and Alleviating Depressive Symptoms With Positive Psychology Interventions: A Practice-Friendly Meta-Analysis m > Depression
Strength:plain· not yet calibratedCausal:conditional· not yet calibratedTests✓ Asserted: passes✓ Checkable: passes? Load-bearing: unclear✓ Based: passesIt may state two separate claims as one. The quote only partly states this claim.
A result the paper reports from its own data — it cites no other source for it, so there is none to check. The quote shows it is in the paper.
In the paper
“In particular, studies that compared a PPI to a notreatment control group showed the greatest boost in WB.Positive interventions that were compared with ''treatment as usual'' showed the second greatest benefit, suggesting that PPIs may be more effective than standard treatments.Finally, PPIs also produced greater boosts in WB compared with neutral control and placebo activities.”
§ Enhancing Well-Being and Alleviating Depressive Symptoms With Positive Psychology Interventions: A Practice-Friendly Meta-Analysis m > Methodological Moderators
Tests✓ Asserted: passes✓ Checkable: passes✓ Load-bearing: passes✓ Based: passesIt may state two separate claims as one.
A result the paper reports from its own data — it cites no other source for it, so there is none to check. The quote shows it is in the paper.
In the paper
“The fixed effects analysis revealed that the type of comparison group used in a PPI moderated the gains in WB but not when computed using the random effects analysis.”
§ Enhancing Well-Being and Alleviating Depressive Symptoms With Positive Psychology Interventions: A Practice-Friendly Meta-Analysis m > Methodological Moderators
Strength:plain· not yet calibratedTests✓ Asserted: passes✓ Checkable: passes? Load-bearing: unclear✓ Based: passesIt may state two separate claims as one.
A result the paper reports from its own data — it cites no other source for it, so there is none to check. The quote shows it is in the paper.
In the paper
“Longer interventions produced greater gains in WB based on the fixed effects model, and this effect approached significance according to the random effects model (one-tailed p 5 .09).”
§ Enhancing Well-Being and Alleviating Depressive Symptoms With Positive Psychology Interventions: A Practice-Friendly Meta-Analysis m > Methodological Moderators
Strength:plain· not yet calibratedCausal:correlational· not yet calibratedTests✓ Asserted: passes✓ Checkable: passes? Load-bearing: unclear✓ Based: passesIt may state two separate claims as one.
A result the paper reports from its own data — it cites no other source for it, so there is none to check. The quote shows it is in the paper.
In the paper
“Furthermore, the set of effect sizes was heterogeneous (w 2 ð48Þ ¼ 230:92, one-tailed p 5 9 Â 10 À26 ), suggesting the presence of moderator variables.”
§ Enhancing Well-Being and Alleviating Depressive Symptoms With Positive Psychology Interventions: A Practice-Friendly Meta-Analysis m > Well-Being
Tests✓ Asserted: passes✓ Checkable: passes? Load-bearing: unclear✓ Based: passesIt may state two separate claims as one.
A result the paper reports from its own data — it cites no other source for it, so there is none to check. The quote shows it is in the paper.
In the paper
“Both the fixed effects and random effects models revealed that the benefits of PPIs increase with age.”
§ Enhancing Well-Being and Alleviating Depressive Symptoms With Positive Psychology Interventions: A Practice-Friendly Meta-Analysis m > Participant Moderators
Tests✓ Asserted: passes✓ Checkable: passes✓ Load-bearing: passes✓ Based: passesIt may state two separate claims as one.
A result the paper reports from its own data — it cites no other source for it, so there is none to check. The quote shows it is in the paper.
In the paper
“The results revealed that positive psychology interventions do indeed significantly enhance well-being (mean r 5 .29)and decrease depressive symptoms (mean r 5 .31).”
- Also stated in: § Well-Being · plain
“The unweighted mean r (.29) was close in magnitude to the median r (.24) and was highly significant based on both the fixed effects (one-tailed p 5 0) and the random effects (one-tailed p 5 4 Â 10 À9 ) models.”
- Also stated in: § Clinical Practices Do positive psychology interventions effectively boost well-being and ameliorate depression? · boosted
“The combined results of 49 studies revealed that PPIs do, in fact, significantly enhance WB, and the combined results of 25 studies showed that PPIs are also effective for treating depressive symptoms.”
§ Enhancing Well-Being and Alleviating Depressive Symptoms With Positive Psychology Interventions: A Practice-Friendly Meta-Analysis m > Abstract
Tests✓ Asserted: passes✓ Checkable: passes✓ Load-bearing: passes✓ Based: passesIt may state two separate claims as one. The quote only partly states this claim.
- Also stated in: § Well-Being · plain
What the paper did — it cites no source for this, so there is none to check. The quote shows it is in the paper.
In the paper
“Please bear in mind that these findings should be interpreted cautiously, as this meta-analysis is not comprehensive (i.e., does not include all PPI studies ever conducted).”
§ Enhancing Well-Being and Alleviating Depressive Symptoms With Positive Psychology Interventions: A Practice-Friendly Meta-Analysis m > Clinical Practices Do positive psychology interventions effectively boost well-being and ameliorate depression?
Strength:plain· not yet calibratedTests✓ Asserted: passes✓ Checkable: passes✗ Load-bearing: fails✓ Based: passesProbably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.
A claim is checked only against the cited paper’s full text, never its abstract, and none is available for its sources.
In the paper
“PPIs can be especially effective for treating residual symptoms (Fava et al., 1998) and preventing future relapse for formerly depressed clients (Seligman et al., 2006).”
§ Enhancing Well-Being and Alleviating Depressive Symptoms With Positive Psychology Interventions: A Practice-Friendly Meta-Analysis m > Clinical Practices Do positive psychology interventions effectively boost well-being and ameliorate depression?
What the sources say
Tests✓ Asserted: passes✓ Checkable: passes✓ Load-bearing: passes✓ Based: passesIt may state two separate claims as one.
A conclusion the paper draws from its own results — it cites no other source for it, so there is none to check. The quote shows it is in the paper.
In the paper
“In a hypothetical group of 200 individuals-half the group treated with a PPI, and half the group untreated-65 individuals treated with a PPI would experience gains in WB, compared with only 35 of the individuals in the control group.Similarly, 66 PPI-treated individuals would experience decreased depression, relative to only 34 individuals in the control group.”
§ Enhancing Well-Being and Alleviating Depressive Symptoms With Positive Psychology Interventions: A Practice-Friendly Meta-Analysis m > Clinical Practices Do positive psychology interventions effectively boost well-being and ameliorate depression?
Tests✓ Asserted: passes✓ Checkable: passes✓ Load-bearing: passes✓ Based: passesIt may state two separate claims as one.
A conclusion the paper draws from its own results — it cites no other source for it, so there is none to check. The quote shows it is in the paper.
In the paper
“The magnitude of these effects is medium-sized (mean r 5 .29 for WB, mean r 5 .31for depression), indicating that not only do PPIs work, they work well.”
§ Enhancing Well-Being and Alleviating Depressive Symptoms With Positive Psychology Interventions: A Practice-Friendly Meta-Analysis m > Clinical Practices Do positive psychology interventions effectively boost well-being and ameliorate depression?
Tests✓ Asserted: passes✓ Checkable: passes✓ Load-bearing: passes✓ Based: passesIt may state two separate claims as one.
The authors state this as an assumption.
The number of unpublished studies is not five times greater than the number of published studies.
“The tolerance level was also computed to estimate the number of irretrievable studies that possibly exist, based on the assumption that the number of unpublished studies is not five times greater than the number of published ones (Rosenthal & Rosnow, 2008, p. 689).”
The paper relies on this without support.
No systematic quantitative review of positive psychology intervention research had been published before this meta-analysis.
“The general effectiveness of PPIs remains unclear, as no systematic quantitative review of the research has yet been published.”
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“The lack of clarity in the inclusion criteria constitutes a third limitation.”
From Positive psychology interventions: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled studies (2013) · cites this paper as Sin and Lyubomirsky (2009)
Checked by a reasoning model — may be wrong.
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredThe source backs part of the claim, not all of it — or backs it for a different population, condition or comparison.
In the citing paper
“Their results show that PPIs can indeed be effective in enhancing well-being (r = 0.29, standardized mean difference Cohen’s d = 0.61) and help to reduce depressive symptom levels in clinical populations (r = 0.31, Cohen’s d = 0.65).”
From Positive psychology interventions: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled studies (2013) · cites this paper as Sin and Lyubomirsky (2009)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredThe source backs part of the claim, not all of it — or backs it for a different population, condition or comparison.
In the citing paper
“The practice of mindfulness has been found to enhance various qualities including empathy and self-compassion (Birnie et al., 2009), wellbeing and positive emotions (Sin & Lyubomirsky, 2009), emotional self-regulation and cognitive flexibility, and reduce stress and anxiety (Hölzel et al., 2011;Meiklejohn et al., 2012).”
From The influence of teacher-guided mindfulness practice on inter and intra-personal abilities among Israeli Arab students (2024) · cites this paper as Sin & Lyubomirsky, 2009
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredThe source backs part of the claim, not all of it — or backs it for a different population, condition or comparison.
In the citing paper
“Several meta-analyses have shown that positive psychology interventions targeting feelings of gratitude, savoring of experiences and sensations, and hope and meaning lead to improved well-being and reduced depressive and anxiety symptoms in both general populations and those considered vulnerable [73-75].”
From Optimization of a Transdiagnostic Mobile Emotion Regulation Intervention for University Students: Protocol for a Microrandomized Trial (2023) · cites this paper as [75]
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredThe cited source says what the claim attributes to it.
In the citing paper
“Meta-analytic reviews of positive psychological interventions designed to cultivate well-being have demonstrated that these interventions can not only have robust effects on increasing well-being, they can also decrease associated depressive symptoms (Sin & Lyubmirksy, 2009).”
From Trajectories of change in well-being during cognitive behavioral therapies for anxiety disorders: Quantifying the impact and covariation with improvements in anxiety (2020) · cites this paper as Sin & Lyubmirksy, 2009
The cited source says what the claim attributes to it.
In the citing paper
“Intervention studies, although related to positive psychology but not strictly developed within this new framework (e.g. mindfulness, life-review) were included in the meta-analysis.”
From Positive psychology interventions: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled studies (2013) · cites this paper as Sin and Lyubomirsky (2009)
The cited source says what the claim attributes to it.
In the citing paper
“Their results show that PPIs can indeed be effective in enhancing well-being (r = 0.29, standardized mean difference Cohen’s d = 0.61) and help to reduce depressive symptom levels in clinical populations (r = 0.31, Cohen’s d = 0.65).”
From Positive psychology interventions: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled studies (2013) · cites this paper as Sin and Lyubomirsky (2009)
The cited source says what the claim attributes to it.
In the citing paper
“Second, study quality was not addressed as a potential effect moderator.”
From Positive psychology interventions: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled studies (2013) · cites this paper as Sin and Lyubomirsky (2009)
The cited source says what the claim attributes to it.
In the citing paper
“In addition, we applied stricter inclusion criteria than those used by Sin and Lyubomirsky (2009) and therefore did not include studies on any related areas such as mindfulness and life review therapy.”
From Positive psychology interventions: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled studies (2013) · cites this paper as Sin and Lyubomirsky (2009)
The cited source says what the claim attributes to it.
In the citing paper
“Remarkably, effect sizes in the current meta-analysis are around 0.3 points lower than the effect sizes in the meta-analysis by Sin and Lyubomirsky (2009) [37].”
From Positive psychology interventions: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled studies (2013) · cites this paper as Sin and Lyubomirsky (2009) [37]
The cited source says what the claim attributes to it.
In the citing paper
“Two meta-analyses of PPIs for depression and well-being found that these interventions have small to moderate effects in enhancing well-being and decreasing depressive symptoms and that effects are stronger for individual vs. group formats [30, 31].”
From Skills to Enhance Positivity in adolescents at risk for suicide: Protocol for a randomized controlled trial (2023) · cites this paper as [30]
The cited source says what the claim attributes to it.
In the citing paper
“They are effective in the improvement of depression and well-being [36, 37].”
The cited source says what the claim attributes to it.
In the citing paper
“A meta-analysis that reviewed 51 positive psychology interventions across a spectrum of domains, found that positive psychology programs significantly increased well-being (mean r=.29) [29] and led to significant reductions in depressive symptoms (mean r=.31).”
From Feasibility and effectiveness of a web-based positive psychology program for youth mental health: Randomized controlled trial (2014) · cites this paper as [29]
The cited source says what the claim attributes to it.
In the citing paper
“A meta-analysis that reviewed 51 positive psychology interventions across a spectrum of domains, found that positive psychology programs significantly increased well-being (mean r=.29) [29] and led to significant reductions in depressive symptoms (mean r=.31).”
From Feasibility and effectiveness of a web-based positive psychology program for youth mental health: Randomized controlled trial (2014) · cites this paper as [29]
The check wasn’t confident either way, so it gives no verdict — never disputed.
In the citing paper
“First, the meta-analysis included both randomized studies and quasi-experimental studies.”
From Positive psychology interventions: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled studies (2013) · cites this paper as Sin and Lyubomirsky (2009)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredIn the citing paper
“Vlaeyen and colleagues suggest that avoidance behavior persists due to certain beliefs, such as catastrophic cognitions 25, 337, 338.”
From Evaluating psychosocial contributions to chronic pain outcomes (2018) · cites this paper as [338]
In the citing paper
“The efficacy of PPIs increased linearly with participant age, and depressed individuals benefitted more than non-depressed individuals252.”
From Psychobiological factors of resilience and depression in late life (2019) · cites this paper as [252]
In the citing paper
“A recent meta-analysis of PPIs including data from over four thousand adults indicated a highly significant, moderate effect of PPIs on both well-being (r = 0.29) and depressive symptoms (r = 0.31)252.”
From Psychobiological factors of resilience and depression in late life (2019) · cites this paper as [252]
In the citing paper
“The efficacy of PPIs increased linearly with participant age, and depressed individuals benefitted more than non-depressed individuals252.”
From Psychobiological factors of resilience and depression in late life (2019) · cites this paper as [252]
In the citing paper
“Interventions delivered individually were most effective, followed by those administered in a group, then by self-administered PPIs.”
From Psychobiological factors of resilience and depression in late life (2019) · cites this paper as [252]
In the citing paper
“A recent meta-analysis of PPIs including data from over four thousand adults indicated a highly significant, moderate effect of PPIs on both well-being (r = 0.29) and depressive symptoms (r = 0.31)252.”
From Psychobiological factors of resilience and depression in late life (2019) · cites this paper as [252]
In the citing paper
“Although PPIs are not recommended as a stand-alone treatment for moderate-to-severe MDD, research suggests that PPIs may be useful for the prevention or adjunct treatment of depression252.”
From Psychobiological factors of resilience and depression in late life (2019) · cites this paper as [252]
In the citing paper
“A meta-analysis established that positive psychology interventions as diverse as writing gratitude letters, practising optimistic thinking, replaying positive experiences and socializing have beneficial effects on levels of depression 91.”
From Resilience in mental health: linking psychological and neurobiological perspectives. (2013) · cites this paper as [91]
In the citing paper
“The effect of kindness is small-to-mediumcomparable to other positive psychology interventions (such as 'mindfulness', 'positive thinking' and 'counting your blessings'; d = 0.34, Bolier et al., 2013;d = 0.31, Sin & Lyubomirsky, 2009;d = 0.44, Weiss, Westerhof, & Bohlmeijer, 2016).”
From Happy to help? A systematic review and meta-analysis of the effects of performing acts of kindness on the well-being of the actor (2018) · cites this paper as Sin & Lyubomirsky, 2009
In the citing paper
“Interventions that explicitly target positive emotion show promise for improving health outcomes in a number of chronic illnesses, including diabetes [16,17], heart disease [18,19], hypertension [20,21], depression [22,23], and HIV [24].”
In the citing paper
“interventions based on increasing positive emotion have been shown to relieve symptoms of depression in a meta-analysis [23]”
In the citing paper
“Positive psychology (PP) interventions, which utilize systematic exercises to increase optimism, well-being, and positive affect, consistently increase positive states and are easily delivered to patients with chronic illnesses.”
From Positive Psychological Interventions for Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: Rationale, Theoretical Model, and Intervention Development (2015) · cites this paper as [43]
In the citing paper
“PP interventions have been used in over 4000 mostly healthy subjects and have been found to increase well-being and decrease depression [41, 43], with effect sizes comparable to other psychological interventions [44, 45].”
From Positive Psychological Interventions for Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: Rationale, Theoretical Model, and Intervention Development (2015) · cites this paper as [43]
In the citing paper
“moderation analysis revealed higher effect sizes associated with “shotgun” approaches, that is, packages that incorporate multiple positive psychology strategies.”
From Disseminating Self-Help: Positive Psychology Exercises in an Online Trial (2012) · cites this paper as [23]
In the citing paper
“A recent meta-analysis demonstrated that compared with control conditions, positive interventions lead to reliable and moderate boosts in well-being and improvements in depressive symptoms [23].”
From Disseminating Self-Help: Positive Psychology Exercises in an Online Trial (2012) · cites this paper as [23]
In the citing paper
“Past research in positive psychology interventions has found that variety is an important moderator of intervention gains and that several techniques are more effective than a single technique [23,36].”
From Disseminating Self-Help: Positive Psychology Exercises in an Online Trial (2012) · cites this paper as [23]
In the citing paper
“Studies supporting the efficacy of positive activity interventions (PAIs) have been primarily conducted in unselected (non-clinical) community samples and examined single positive activities in isolation (for a meta-analysis, see66, 67).”
From Upregulating the positive affect system in anxiety and depression: Outcomes of a positive activity intervention: Taylor et al. (2017) · cites this paper as [66]
In the citing paper
“Overall, PP exercises have been successfully used by more than 4000 participants in over 50 clinical trials [20,21], though typically in nonclinical populations.”
From Feasibility and utility of positive psychology exercises for suicidal inpatients (2014) · cites this paper as [20]
In the citing paper
“These differences may be related to the fact that the first meta-analyses focused on subjective well-being whereas the second one included 10 different measures of psychological well-being in addition to the PWBS and MHC-SF, for example hope, mastery and purpose in life.”
From Can We Increase Psychological Well-Being? The Effects of Interventions on Psychological Well-Being: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials (2016) · cites this paper as [11]
In the citing paper
“Furthermore, both previous meta-analyses focused on specific positive psychological interventions, whereas our study included a number of different therapeutic interventions.”
From Can We Increase Psychological Well-Being? The Effects of Interventions on Psychological Well-Being: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials (2016) · cites this paper as [11]
In the citing paper
“The effect size of psychological well-being is somewhat lower than the standardized mean difference of .61 that was reported in a meta-analysis by Sin and Lyubomirsky (11) and somewhat higher than the effect of .20 for psychological well-being in a meta-analysis by Bolier et al. [12].”
From Can We Increase Psychological Well-Being? The Effects of Interventions on Psychological Well-Being: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials (2016) · cites this paper as [11]
In the citing paper
“Positive psychology interventions (PPIs), such as mindful self-awareness, gratitude expression, and identifying and utilizing strengths, have been shown to impact both well-being and depressive symptoms [29-31].”
From MoodHacker Mobile Web App With Email for Adults to Self-Manage Mild-to-Moderate Depression: Randomized Controlled Trial (2016) · cites this paper as [29]
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Background
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Sorted by citations
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Lai, S.-T., Lim, K. S., Tang, V. Y. H., & Low, W. Y. (2018) · Epilepsy & Behavior · doi:10.1016/j.yebeh.2017.12.019 · Cited by 14
Ho, H. C. Y., Mui, M. W.-K., Wan, A., Yew, C. W.-S., & Lam, T. H. (2019) · Journal of Happiness Studies · doi:10.1007/s10902-018-00071-w · Cited by 13
German Translation of the Satisfaction With Life Scale for Children and Adolescents
Lang, J., & Schmitz, B. (2019) · Journal of Psychoeducational Assessment · doi:10.1177/0734282919849361 · Cited by 12
“Several interventions to improve well-being have been shown to be effective in numerous studies (Sin & Lyubomirsky, 2009).”
BackgroundTaghvaienia, A., & Zonobitabar, A. (2020) · Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health · doi:10.1186/s13034-020-00331-9 · Cited by 12
Recommendations for positive psychology interventions in school settings
Mangan, S. A., Baumsteiger, R., & Bronk, K. C. (2020) · The Journal of Positive Psychology · doi:10.1080/17439760.2020.1789709 · Cited by 13
Jang, C.-Y., Cho, E.-H., Kwak, Y., & Kim, T. (2020) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph17218246 · Cited by 11
“This finding is consistent with a study by Sin and Lyubomirsky [25], which reviewed 51 positive psychology interventions, including positive feelings, positive behaviors or positive cognitions, and showed enhanced well-being and decreased depressive symptoms.”
ResultDuan, S., Exter, M., Newby, T. J., & Fa, B. (2021) · International Journal of Community Well-Being · doi:10.1007/s42413-021-00120-y · Cited by 13
“PPIs are intentional activities to improve well-being (Sin & Lyubomirsky, 2009).”
BackgroundKalisch, L., Boniwell, I., Osin, E., & Baeza-Velasco, C. (2022) · Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy · doi:10.1007/s10879-021-09521-8 · Cited by 12
Positive Psychology Interventions: Research Evidence, Practical Utility, and Future Steps
Vella‐Brodrick, D. (2012) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-94-007-5195-8_15 · Cited by 13
Steptoe, A. (2010) · Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience · doi:10.1093/scan/nsq032 · Cited by 14
Chapter 8. Positive Psychotherapeutic and Behavioral Interventions
Parks, A. C., Kleiman, E. M., Kashdan, T. B., Hausmann, L. R. M., Meyer-Kalos, P., Day, A. M., Spillane, N. S., & Kahler, C. W. (2015) · American Psychiatric Association Publishing eBooks · doi:10.1176/appi.books.9781615370818.dj08 · Cited by 12
Hernández, R., Cheung, E. O., Carnethon, M. R., Penedo, F. J., Moskowitz, J. T., Martinez, L., & Schueller, S. M. (2018) · Translational Behavioral Medicine · doi:10.1093/tbm/iby045 · Cited by 13
Sarubin, N., Goerigk, S. A., Padberg, F., Übleis, A., Jobst, A., Erfurt, L., Schumann, C., Nadjiri, A., Dewald‐Kaufmann, J., Falkai, P., et al. (2018) · Psychology and Psychotherapy Theory Research and Practice · doi:10.1111/papt.12205 · Cited by 13
The Role of Embodiment in Optimal Functioning
Hefferon, K. (2015) · Wiley eBooks · doi:10.1002/9781118996874.ch45 · Cited by 14
Hoult, L. M., Wetherell, M. A., Edginton, T. L., & Smith, M. (2025) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0308928 · Cited by 21
Wilkie, L., Fisher, Z., Geidel, A., Goodall, I., Kamil, S., Wyn-Davies, E., & Kemp, A. H. (2026) · Nature Human Behaviour · doi:10.1038/s41562-025-02369-1 · Cited by 18
Short Tips Delivered “in the Moment” Can Boost Positive Emotion
Hurling, R., Murray, P., Tomlin, C., Warner, A., Wilkinson, J., York, G., Linley, P. A., Dovey, H., Hogan, R. A., Maltby, J., et al. (2017) · International Journal of Psychological Studies · doi:10.5539/ijps.v9n1p88 · Cited by 11
“Indeed, in their meta-analysis of 51 positive psychology interventions, Sin and Lyubomirsky (2009) found they significantly enhanced well-being. We have drawn on these streams of research work to consider how we might develop an intervention type and delivery system for maximal impact. We suggest that interventions th…”
BackgroundInfluentialJose, P. E., & Geiserman, A. (2023) · Current Psychology · doi:10.1007/s12144-023-04999-y · Cited by 11
“life satisfaction, and general well-being (Seear & Vella-Brodrick, 2012; Sin & Lyubomirsky, 2009).”
The efficacy of employee strengths interventions on desirable workplace outcomes
Bratty, A. J., & Dennis, N. (2024) · Current Psychology · doi:10.1007/s12144-023-05607-9 · Cited by 13
“However, in-person PPIs often have superior outcomes than those that are self-administered (Sin & Lyubomirsky, 2009).”
Using evidence-based applied positive psychology to promote student well-being
Fält-Weckman, S., Fagerlund, Å., Londén, M., & Lagerström, M. (2024) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1415519 · Cited by 18
“Sample sizes of the studies included in the meta-analysis by White et al. (2019) reanalyzing the meta-analyses of Sin and Lyubomirsky (2009) and Bolier et al. (2013), varied from 12 to 208 participants.”
MethodChim, K., Lai, J. T. C., & Chan, B. T. Y. (2024) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1450192 · Cited by 16
The Intervention Effects on Teacher Well-being: A Three-Level Meta-Analysis
Li, Y., Xiang, W., Chen, J., Lee, J. C., Yan, Z., & Li, J. (2024) · Educational Psychology Review · doi:10.1007/s10648-024-09966-y · Cited by 21
“Furthermore, one analysis focusing on psychology-based intervention clarified that studies provided mixed results for well-being and depression (Sin & Lyubomirsky, 2009).”
InfluentialPositive psychology: reflecting on the past and projecting into the future
Vella‐Brodrick, D. (2011) · InPsych: The Bulletin of the Australian Psychological Society Ltd · Cited by 11
Sims, C. M. (2017) · The Coaching Psychologist · doi:10.53841/bpstcp.2017.13.2.66 · Cited by 10
“…own intrinsic preferences (person-activity fit) and through deliberate effort should continue to be a way of curbing the deleterious effects of experiencing too much negativity and for boosting the chances of achieving selfconcordant goals (Sheldon & Lyubomirsky, 2007; Sin & Lyubomirsky, 2009).”
BackgroundEmotional Intelligence and Positive Education: Preparing Students for a Better Tomorrow
Anand, P. V. (2019) · New Directions for Teaching and Learning · doi:10.1002/tl.20368 · Cited by 13
Validation of a German and English Version of the Revised Art-of-Living Inventory
Schmitz, B., Schumacher, B., Schwarz, M., & Feldmann, F. (2021) · European Journal of Psychological Assessment · doi:10.1027/1015-5759/a000650 · Cited by 11
Bannay, D. F., & Hadi, M. J. (2021) · Jurnal Pengurusan · doi:10.17576/pengurusan-2021-63-09 · Cited by 11
Peipert, A., Rodríguez‐Quintana, N., & Lorenzo‐Luaces, L. (2022) · International Journal of Cognitive Therapy · doi:10.1007/s41811-022-00131-3 · Cited by 12
Improving the psychological well-being of nurses through Islamic positive psychology training
Yuliatun, I., & Karyani, U. (2022) · Psikohumaniora Jurnal Penelitian Psikologi · doi:10.21580/pjpp.v7i1.10792 · Cited by 11
“It shows the achievement of goals of positive psychology training, in line with the findings of the research by Sin and Lyubomirsky (2009).”
ResultNeuhaus, M., Young, T., Ferris, L. J., Grimmel, C. L. M., & Reid, N. (2022) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph19138065 · Cited by 15
“This is in contrast with previous reviews and meta-analyses that found that individually targeted interventions were more effective [5,7].”
BackgroundResultKraiss, J. T., Bohlmeijer, E. T., & Schotanus-Dijkstra, M. (2023) · International Journal of Applied Positive Psychology · doi:10.1007/s41042-023-00088-4 · Cited by 15
“…kindness and savoring, have shown to be effective in improving emotional well-being in non-clinical (Bolier et al., 2013; Hendriks et al., 2020; Sin & Lyubomirsky, 2009; van Agteren et al., 2021b) and clinical samples (Chakhssi et al., 2018; Geerling et al., 2020; van Agteren et al., 2021b).”
BackgroundThriving on Strengths: Effects of a Strengths Intervention for Younger and Older Teachers
Tobias, V. Y., van Woerkom, M., Meyers, M. C., Runhaar, P. R., & Bakker, A. B. (2023) · Journal of Happiness Studies · doi:10.1007/s10902-023-00638-2 · Cited by 12
“PPIs are “[…] treatment methods or intentional activities that aim to cultivate positive feelings, behaviors, or cognitions” (Sin & Lyubomirsky, 2009, p. 468) and that enable individuals to transition from a ‘languishing’ state to a ‘flourishing’ state (Keyes, 2005).”
BackgroundGreen, Z. A., & Rizwan, S. (2023) · Journal of Happiness Studies · doi:10.1007/s10902-023-00664-0 · Cited by 13
“We used a wait-list control group and a sufficiently long intervention period (32 h of online classes, 8 h of virtual office hours for addressing student queries, and time spent by students on offline tasks) for the prescription to take effect (Carr et al., 2020; Sin & Lyubomirsky, 2009).”
BackgroundMethodEmotional experiences and psychological well-being in 51 countries during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sun, R., Balabanova, A., Bajada, C. J., Liu, Y., Kriuchok, M., Voolma, S.-R., Đurić, M., Mayer, C., Constantinou, M., Chichua, M., et al. (2023) · Emotion · doi:10.1037/emo0001235 · Cited by 16
“Research suggests potential promise for interventions targeting calm to increase well-being (Sin & Lyubomirsky, 2009), including spending time in nature (Bratman et al., 2012, 2019).”
Page, K. M., & Vella‐Brodrick, D. (2012) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-94-007-4059-4_25 · Cited by 11
Happiness, Pain Intensity, Pain Interference, and Distress in Individuals with Physical Disabilities
Müller, R., Terrill, A. L., Jensen, M. P., Molton, I. R., Ravesloot, C., & Ipsen, C. (2015) · American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation · doi:10.1097/phm.0000000000000294 · Cited by 12
X good things in life: Processing fluency effects in the “Three good things in life” exercise
Bahník, Š., Vranka, M. A., & Dlouhá, J. (2015) · Journal of Research in Personality · doi:10.1016/j.jrp.2015.02.005 · Cited by 11
“Some of them have undergone randomized controlled trials that suggest that the interventions are effective in improving life satisfaction and well-being (Bolier et al., 2013; Sin & Lyubomirsky, 2009).”
BackgroundOchoa, C., & Casellas‐Grau, A. (2015) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-319-08613-2_77-1 · Cited by 12
“In general, meta-analytic studies show that positive psychology interventions are effective for various clinical problems (Bolier et al. 2013; Sin and Lyubomirsky 2009), although more studies using control groups and longer follow-up are required (Bolier et al.”
BackgroundPositive Psychology at Work: Research and Practice
Green, S., Evans, O., & Williams, B. (2017) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-319-51787-2_11 · Cited by 13
Sääksjärvi, M., Hellén, K., & Desmet, P. (2017) · Psychology and Marketing · doi:10.1002/mar.21010 · Cited by 9
Affect and Incident Participation Restriction in Adults With Knee Osteoarthritis
Vaughan, M. W., LaValley, M. P., Felson, D. T., Orsmond, G. I., Niu, J., Lewis, C. E., Segal, N. A., Nevitt, M. C., & Keysor, J. J. (2017) · Arthritis Care & Research · doi:10.1002/acr.23308 · Cited by 11
Pearce, M., Koenig, H. G., Robins, C. J., Daher, N. S., Shaw, S. F., Nelson, B., Berk, L., Bellinger, D. L., Cohen, H. J., & King, M. (2015) · Spirituality in Clinical Practice · doi:10.1037/scp0000076 · Cited by 10
González‐Robles, A., García‐Palacios, A., Baños, R., Quero, S., & Botella, C. (2017) · Behavior Modification · doi:10.1177/0145445517735631 · Cited by 13
“…that these interventions are effective for enhancing well-being and reducing depressive symptoms in both the general population and in individuals with a variety of psychosocial problems (Bolier et al., 2013; Schueller & Parks, 2014; Sin & Lyubomirsky, 2009; Weiss, Westerhof, & Bohlmeijer, 2016).”
Lomas, T. (2017) · Routledge eBooks · doi:10.4324/9781315106304-18 · Cited by 11
McKee, L. G., Algoe, S. B., Faro, A. L., O’Leary, J. L., & O’Neal, C. W. (2019) · Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications · doi:10.1016/j.conctc.2019.100391 · Cited by 12
“[4] concluded that PPIs were more effective for people”
BackgroundSkrzelinska, J., & Ferreira, J. A. (2020) · British Journal of Guidance and Counselling · doi:10.1080/03069885.2020.1789553 · Cited by 14
“However, the positive effect of the gratitude and other positive psychology interventions (PPIs) on one’s well-being might, be smaller than previously reported in the studies (Bolier et al., 2013; Sin & Lyubomirsky, 2009).”
ResultRoutledge, K. M., Williams, L. M., Harris, A. W. F., Schofield, P. R., & Gatt, J. M. (2020) · Journal of Psychiatric Research · doi:10.1016/j.jpsychires.2020.12.054 · Cited by 11
INTRODUCTION - Latest developments in Positive Psychology: The case of Greece
Pezirkianidis, C., & Stalikas, A. (2020) · Psychology the Journal of the Hellenic Psychological Society · doi:10.12681/psy_hps.25328 · Cited by 17
The Handbook of Wellness Medicine
Snellings, J. (2020) · Cambridge University Press eBooks · doi:10.1017/9781108650182 · Cited by 11
Alford, Z., & White, M. A. (2015) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-94-017-9667-5_5 · Cited by 15
Zandvakili, M., Jalilvand, M., & Nikmanesh, Z. (2014) · International Journal of Medical Toxicology and Forensic Medicine · doi:10.22037/ijmtfm.v4i2(spring).5622 · Cited by 12
Cultivating Positive Emotions: A Useful Adjunct When Working with People Who Self‐Harm?
Morris, C., Simpson, J., Sampson, M., & Beesley, F. (2013) · Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy · doi:10.1002/cpp.1836 · Cited by 13
Linley, P. A., Dovey, H., de Bruin, E. A., Transler, C., Wilkinson, J., Maltby, J., & Hurling, R. (2013) · Psychology of Well-Being Theory Research and Practice · doi:10.1186/2211-1522-3-6 · Cited by 11
“Reviewing the effectiveness of positive psychology interventions, a meta-analysis of 51 studies by Sin and Lyubomirsky (2009) showed that they significantly enhanced well-being (mean r = .29) and also alleviated depression (mean r = .31).”
BackgroundTsai, J. H., & Thompson, E. A. (2015) · Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine · doi:10.1097/jom.0000000000000477 · Cited by 12
Meyer-Kalos, P., Ludwig, K., Gaylord, S. A., Perkins, D. O., Grewen, K., Palsson, O. S., Burchinal, M., & Penn, D. L. (2018) · Schizophrenia Research · doi:10.1016/j.schres.2018.04.039 · Cited by 11
“The ICAT intervention is unique as it integrates a set of mindfulness activities with a set of positive psychology activities packaged into one intervention (Sin and Lyubomirsky 2009).”
BackgroundChristian theology and positive psychology: An exchange of gifts
Charry, E. T., & Kosits, R. D. (2016) · The Journal of Positive Psychology · doi:10.1080/17439760.2016.1228010 · Cited by 13
“Therefore, Christians will have much to gain by adapting ‘happiness interventions’ that are compatible with Christian values and have been empirically shown to increase happiness (Sin & Lyubomirsky, 2009).”
BackgroundThe Prospects, Practices, and Prescriptions for the Pursuit of Happiness
Layous, K., Sheldon, K. M., & Lyubomirsky, S. (2015) · Wiley eBooks · doi:10.1002/9781118996874.ch11 · Cited by 12
“A recent meta-analysis by Sin and Lyubomirsky (2009) showed that positive interventions yielded impressive (medium-sized) effects for improvement of wellbeing and alleviation of depressive symptoms—effect sizes nearly identical to the classic Smith and Glass (1977) meta-analysis of the effect of…”
BackgroundResultInfluentialSelf-citationAn Undergraduate Positive Psychology Course as Prevention and OutreachPreprint
Lefevor, G. T., Jensen, D. R., Jones, P. J., Janis, R. A., & Hsieh, C. H. (2018) · PsyArXiv (OSF Preprints) · doi:10.31234/osf.io/r52wg · Cited by 11
Correctional rehabilitation and positive psychology: Opportunities and challenges
Morse, S., Wright, K. A., & Klapow, M. C. (2022) · Sociology Compass · doi:10.1111/soc4.12960 · Cited by 14
Curry, O. S., Rowland, L. A., Lissa, C. J. V., Zlotowitz, S., McAlaney, J., & Whitehouse, H. (2016) · OSF Preprints (OSF Preprints) · doi:10.31219/osf.io/ytj5s · Cited by 15
Uyan, U., & Aslan, A. (2019) · Yönetim Bilimleri Dergisi · doi:10.35408/comuybd.495109 · Cited by 10
“Sin and Lyubomirsky (2009) defined the term as “treatment methods or deliberate activities aimed at cultivating positive feelings, positive behaviors, or positive cognitions”.”
BackgroundVirtanen, A., de Bloom, J., Reins, J. A., Syrek, C. J., Lehr, D., & Kinnunen, U. M. (2019) · Gedrag & Organisatie · doi:10.5117/2019.032.004.003 · Cited by 12
Shim, Y., Scotney, V. S., & Tay, L. (2021) · The Journal of Positive Psychology · doi:10.1080/17439760.2021.1913642 · Cited by 14
Qin, P., He, J., Yang, X., Chen, S., Chen, X., Jiang, H., Fung, A. W. T., Wang, Z. J., & Lau, J. T. F. (2022) · JMIR Public Health and Surveillance · doi:10.2196/32968 · Cited by 10
Ericson, S. M., Gallagher, J. P., Federico, A. J., Fleming, J. J., Froggatt, D., Eleid, A., Finn, B. M., Johnston, K. L., & Cai, R. Y. (2023) · Journal of Health Psychology · doi:10.1177/13591053231209668 · Cited by 10
“Programs that aim to enhance subjective well-being are proving effective (Bolier et al., 2013; Sin and Lyubomirsky, 2009).”
Amonoo, H. L., Guo, M., Boardman, A. C., Acharya, N., Daskalakis, E. P., Deary, E. C., Waldman, L. P., Gudenkauf, L. M., Lee, S. J., Joffe, H., et al. (2024) · Transplantation and Cellular Therapy · doi:10.1016/j.jtct.2024.01.064 · Cited by 10
What teachers can do to enhance students’ well-being: Discussion
Schmitz, B. (2024) · Learning and Instruction · doi:10.1016/j.learninstruc.2024.101980 · Cited by 18
Barišić, M., Mudri, Ž., Farčić, N., Čebohin, M., Degmečić, D., & Barać, I. (2024) · Sustainability · doi:10.3390/su16177808 · Cited by 12
Carlon, H. A., Hurlocker, M. C., Hoeppner, B. B., & Witkiewitz, K. A. (2025) · Addiction · doi:10.1111/add.70019 · Cited by 10
Awe reduces depressive symptoms and improves well-being in a randomized-controlled clinical trial
Monroy, M., Amster, M., Eagle, J., Zerwas, F. K., Keltner, D. J., & López, J. E. (2025) · Scientific Reports · doi:10.1038/s41598-025-96555-w · Cited by 16
“Our work contributes to a burgeoning science suggesting that positive emotions, such as awe, can be leveraged in interventions to improve physical and psychological health outcomes in clinical and non-clinical populations 12–15 .”
Leach, C. J. C., Green, L. S., & Grant, A. M. (2011) · International journal of evidence based coaching and mentoring · doi:10.1177/174183051100900105 · Cited by 11
The Life of PII: Developing a Positive Islamic Identity
Pasha-Zaidi, N., & Odeh, M. M. (2019) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-030-13921-6_12 · Cited by 10
dos Santos, F. R. M., Lacerda, S. S., Coelhoso, C. C., Barrichello, C., Tobo, P. R., & Kozasa, E. H. (2021) · Behavioral Sciences · doi:10.3390/bs11040043 · Cited by 11
“Positive psychology interventions seem to be promising techniques to improve employee well-being and performance [22].”
BackgroundMental Hygiene: What It Is, Implications, and Future Directions
Tremblay, G., Rodrigues, N. C., & Gulati, S. (2021) · Journal of Prevention and Health Promotion · doi:10.1177/26320770211000376 · Cited by 13
“PPIs are defined as intentional cognitive activities that help cultivate positive feelings, positive behaviors, and positive cognitions (Sin & Lyubomirsky, 2009).”
BackgroundStemmler, A., Staehle, R., Heinemann, T., Bender, M., & Hennig, J. (2021) · BJPsych Open · doi:10.1192/bjo.2021.65 · Cited by 11
Griva, K., Chia, J. M. X., Goh, Z. Z. S., Wong, Y. P., Loei, J., Thach, T., Chua, W. B., & Khan, B. A. (2021) · BMJ Open · doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2021-053588 · Cited by 11
Cheng, K., McMaughan, D., & Smith, M. (2021) · Journal of Applied Gerontology · doi:10.1177/07334648211056638 · Cited by 11
“Positive psychological interventions have been shown to increase optimism (Fischer et al., 2020; Koydemir et al., 2020; Malouff & Schutte, 2017; Sin & Lyubomirsky, 2009), particularly the Best Possible Self (BPS) Training (Loveday et al., 2018).”
BackgroundLorenz, T., Algner, M., & Binder, B. (2022) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2022.896741 · Cited by 15
“Placebo effects cannot be completely ruled out and meta-analyses showed that the type of comparison sample could affect effectiveness estimates (e.g., Sin and Lyubomirsky, 2009).”
BackgroundSanders, K., Chousou, P., Carver, K., Pugh, P., Degens, H., & Azzawi, M. (2022) · Open Heart · doi:10.1136/openhrt-2022-002021 · Cited by 7
Spillane, N. S., Schick, M. R., Hostetler, K. L., Trinh, C. D., & Kahler, C. W. (2023) · Contemporary Clinical Trials · doi:10.1016/j.cct.2023.107247 · Cited by 11
Collins, A. C., Price, G. D., Woodworth, R. J., & Jacobson, N. C. (2023) · The Journal of Positive Psychology · doi:10.1080/17439760.2023.2254743 · Cited by 11
“In addition, meta-analytic findings suggest that longer and more intensive in-person PPIs demonstrate larger effects than shorter, web-based interventions (Bolier et al., 2013; Carr et al., 2021; Sin & Lyubomirsky, 2009).”
BackgroundPan, L., & Yeung, N. C. Y. (2023) · Current Diabetes Reports · doi:10.1007/s11892-023-01525-z · Cited by 12
“Unlike interventions that aim to alleviate symptoms, problems, or disorders, PPIs specifically align with the theoretical principles of positive psychology [17].”
BackgroundMethodSupporting adolescents’ personal growth and well-being through the Study with Strength intervention
Hongell-Ekholm, N., Londén, M., & Fagerlund, Å. (2024) · Cogent Education · doi:10.1080/2331186x.2023.2298596 · Cited by 17
“A positive psychology intervention (PPI) could be defined as a period of training and exercises focusing on enhancing positive emotions, positive cognitions and positive behaviour (Sin & Lyubomirsky, 2009).”
Chhajer, R., & Hira, N. (2024) · Frontiers in Public Health · doi:10.3389/fpubh.2024.1297610 · Cited by 11
“This Pre–post-comparison of negative affect. might be because PPIs are traditionally designed to impact positive feelings, positive cognitions, or positive behavior (52) as opposed to directly influencing awareness, which is more so of a role of MBIs (89) as seen in the present article.”
BackgroundInterventions for youth depression: from symptom reduction to well-being and optimal functioning
Freire, T., Teixeira, A., Silva, E., & Matias, G. P. (2014) · Redalyc (Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México) · doi:10.5460/jbhsi.v6.2.50816 · Cited by 11
“Positive psychology interventions are deined as “treatment methods or intentional activities that aim to cultivate positive feelings, behaviors, or cognitions” (Sin & Lyubomirsky, 2009, p. 468).”
Development and validation of the State Contentment Measure
Taylor, T., Medvedev, O. N., Owens, R. G., & Siegert, R. J. (2017) · Personality and Individual Differences · doi:10.1016/j.paid.2017.07.010 · Cited by 11
Gratitude Letter: An Effort to Increase Subjective Well-Being in College
Christanto, S. A., Brenda, D., Assisiansi, C., et al. (2017) · ANIMA Indonesian Psychological Journal · doi:10.24123/aipj.v32i3.630 · Cited by 10
“Kata kunci: surat syukur, bersyukur, kesejahteraan subjektif, perkuliahan To achieve some degree of happiness is an essential goal for everyone (Sin & Lyubomirsky, 2009).”
BackgroundInfluentialDing, W., Meza, J. I., Lin, X., He, T., Chen, H., Wang, Y., & Qin, S. (2019) · Child Indicators Research · doi:10.1007/s12187-019-09685-9 · Cited by 11
Konradt, U., Brombacher, S., Garbers, Y., & Otte, K. (2019) · International Journal of Applied Positive Psychology · doi:10.1007/s41042-019-00023-6 · Cited by 12
“…capital, several positive psychology interventions (PPIs) have been suggested, such as gratitude exercises (Boehm et al. 2011) or thinking about positive live events (Lyubomirsky et al. 2006) (for meta-analytical overviews see, for example, Sin and Lyubomirsky 2009, or Bolier et al. 2013).”
BackgroundGrowth in patience in Christian Moral Wisdom and contemporary positive psychology
Pawl, T., Ratchford, J. L., & Schnitker, S. A. (2020) · Journal of Beliefs and Values · doi:10.1080/13617672.2020.1836897 · Cited by 10
The role of positive affect in the association between stress and college student alcohol use
Schick, M. R., Spillane, N. S., & Breines, J. G. (2021) · Journal of American College Health · doi:10.1080/07448481.2021.1891075 · Cited by 14
Macfarlane, J. (2021) · British Journal of Mental Health Nursing · doi:10.12968/bjmh.2021.0006 · Cited by 11
Shaygan, M., Negad, S. S., & Motazedian, S. (2021) · The Journal of Positive Psychology · doi:10.1080/17439760.2021.1913636 · Cited by 10
Grajera, M. J. A., Quiñones, I. T., Gavilán‐Carrera, B., Luque-Reca, O., Peñacoba, C., Sierra-Robles, Á., Carbonell‐Baeza, A., & Estévez‐López, F. (2021) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph182212021 · Cited by 11
AYDOĞDU, F. (2021) · Psikiyatride Guncel Yaklasimlar - Current Approaches in Psychiatry · doi:10.18863/pgy.983099 · Cited by 10
Managing entitled employees: An empirical investigation of luxury establishments
Bansal, A. (2022) · Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management · doi:10.1016/j.jhtm.2022.02.021 · Cited by 7
Seeing is believing: making wellbeing more tangible
Vella-Brodrick, D. A., Gill, A., & Patrick, K. (2022) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2022.809108 · Cited by 10
Solution-Focus: Bringing Positive Psychology Into the Conversation
Terni, P. (2015) · International Journal of Solution-Focused Practices · doi:10.14335/ijsfp.v3i1.25 · Cited by 10
Compartiendo afectos positivos en el trabajo: el rol de la similitud en los equipos
Gil, E. A., Llorens, S., & Torrente, P. (2015) · Pensamiento Psicológico · doi:10.11144/javerianacali.ppsi13-1.capt · Cited by 11
Creating Positive Social Change Through Building Positive Organizations: Four Levels of Intervention
Garcea, N., & Linley, P. A. (2010) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-90-481-9938-9_10 · Cited by 10
“Many of these interventions were reviewed by Sin and Lyubomirsky (2009) , who were interested in their impact on depression and happiness.”
Background
Metadata
- Authors
- Sin, N. L., & Lyubomirsky, S.
- Affiliations
- University of California, Riverside (US)
- Corresponding author
- Sin, Nancy L.
- Lyubomirsky, Sonja
- Venue
- Journal of Clinical Psychology
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2009-03-19
- Volume
- 65
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 467-487
- ISSN
- 0021-9762 (ISSN-L)
- 1097-4679
- OpenAlex
- W2038506024
- Cited by
- 2,955
- References
- 69
- Citations by year
- 2026: 107 · 2025: 175 · 2024: 168 · 2023: 196 · 2022: 231 · 2021: 319 · 2020: 257 · 2019: 246 · 2018: 214 · 2017: 186 · 2016: 212 · 2015: 182 · 2014: 157 · 2013: 104 · 2012: 80
- FWCI
- 9.14
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Locations
- Journal of Clinical Psychology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- eScholarship (California Digital Library) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions
- Keywords
- positive psychology interventions, well-being, depressive symptoms, depression treatment, intervention effectiveness, self-selection, intervention duration, age differences, clinician guidance
- MeSH terms
- Depression, Depressive Disorder, Emotions, Humans, Personal Satisfaction, Psychology, Clinical, Psychotherapy, Treatment Outcome
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