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Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources
Open accessAbstract
B. L. Fredrickson's (1998, 2001) broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions asserts that people's daily experiences of positive emotions compound over time to build a variety of consequential personal resources. The authors tested this build hypothesis in a field experiment with working adults (n = 139), half of whom were randomly-assigned to begin a practice of loving-kindness meditation. Results showed that this meditation practice produced increases over time in daily experiences of positive emotions, which, in turn, produced increases in a wide range of personal resources (e.g., increased mindfulness, purpose in life, social support, decreased illness symptoms). In turn, these increments in personal resources predicted increased life satisfaction and reduced depressive symptoms. Discussion centers on how positive emotions are the mechanism of change for the type of mind-training practice studied here and how loving-kindness meditation is an intervention strategy that produces positive emotions in a way that outpaces the hedonic treadmill effect.
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“as self-compassion has been associated with higher positive affect (Frederickson et al., 2008; Wren et al., 2012), cultivating a nonjudgmental stance contribute to self-compassion and acceptance, which then increase experiences of positive affect.”
From Mapping Mindfulness Facets Onto Dimensions of Anxiety and Depression (2013) · cites this paper as Frederickson et al., 2008
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
“For example, interventions designed to promote subjective well-being not only lead to lasting increase in positive emotions, but also promote other positive outcomes such as life satisfaction, purpose in life, and improved social functioning (Cohn, Fredrickson, Brown, Mikels, & Conway, 2009; Fredrickson, 2001; Fredrickson, Cohn, Coffey, Pek, & Finkel, 2008).”
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 Fredrickson, Cohn, Coffey, Pek, & Finkel, 2008
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
“This supports the proposition that mindfulness may constitute a 'technology of the self' (Ng, 2016), by increasing participants' awareness of internalised oppression (Berila, 2016), loosening attachment to negative selfconstructs and engendering kindlier inner dialogues (Fredrickson et al., 2008;Dougan, 2011).”
From Critical Mindfulness in Social Work: Exploring the Potential of Reflexive Self-Care in the Journey from Student to Social Worker (2022) · cites this paper as Fredrickson et al., 2008
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
“First evidence has revealed that practicing Metta is linked to increased resilience and enhanced emotional regulation skills [31–33].”
From Mindfulness and compassion-oriented practices at work reduce distress and enhance self-care of palliative care teams: a mixed-method evaluation of an "on the job" program. (2018) · cites this paper as [31]
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
“Existing evidence also suggest that practicing Metta meditation can strongly increase personal resources with self-generated positive emotions being the central mechanism of change [31].”
From Mindfulness and compassion-oriented practices at work reduce distress and enhance self-care of palliative care teams: a mixed-method evaluation of an "on the job" program. (2018) · cites this paper as [31]
Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
The cited source says what the claim attributes to it.
In the citing paper
“LKM increases social connectedness and is linked with increased positive emotions and well-being (Fredrickson et al., 2008;2017;Hutcherson et al., 2008).”
From RESILIENCE, COPING, AND THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC ACROSS THE GLOBE – AN UPDATE: WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED? (2023) · cites this paper as Fredrickson et al., 2008
The cited source says what the claim attributes to it.
In the citing paper
“that positive affect positively predicts psychological well-being (Fredrickson 2001; Fredrickson et al. 2008)”
From The role of passion in sustainable psychological well-being (2012) · cites this paper as Fredrickson et al. 2008
The cited source says what the claim attributes to it.
In the citing paper
“While I agree that some activities may be more positive than others in bringing about positive affective experiences and psychological well-being, such as mindfulness meditation (Lutz et al. 2008) and loving-kindness meditation (Fredrickson et al. 2008)”
From The role of passion in sustainable psychological well-being (2012) · cites this paper as Fredrickson et al. 2008
The cited source says what the claim attributes to it.
In the citing paper
“This model asserts that one function of positive affect may be to broaden attentional scope to help individuals be more open to novel stimuli and social supports, which in turn, broadens and builds psychological and social resources necessary for survival”
From Skills to Enhance Positivity in adolescents at risk for suicide: Protocol for a randomized controlled trial (2023) · cites this paper as [22]
In the citing paper
“In a randomized controlled trial, loving-kindness meditation was associated with increased levels of positive emotion, which in turn predicted reduced depressive symptoms 96.”
From Resilience in mental health: linking psychological and neurobiological perspectives. (2013) · cites this paper as [96]
In the citing paper
“Interventions that successfully increase the experience of positive emotions have become available in western society 96, 97.”
From Resilience in mental health: linking psychological and neurobiological perspectives. (2013) · cites this paper as [96]
In the citing paper
“Depression is common in people with type 2 diabetes[21] and is associated with poorer glycemic control, increased symptoms and complications, poorer adherence to exercise and diet recommendations[22], and elevated risk of mortality, over and above the elevations in risk associated with diabetes itself[23].”
From An online positive affect skills intervention reduces depression in adults with type 2 diabetes (2014) · cites this paper as [21]
In the citing paper
“PP exercises have led to increased optimism and outcome expectancy [124, 125], confidence and self-efficacy [126], and greater perceived social support and interpersonal connectedness (pathway A1) [127, 128].”
From Positive Psychological Interventions for Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: Rationale, Theoretical Model, and Intervention Development (2015) · cites this paper as [127]
In the citing paper
“When effects upon LKM were examined alone in an intervention trial (Fredrickson et al., 2008), effects upon positive emotions were significant but small, and contrary to major assumptions of Buddhist psychology, there were no treatment benefits upon reduction of negative emotions.”
From Loving-Kindness and Compassion Meditation: Potential for Psychological Interventions (2011) · cites this paper as Fredrickson et al., 2008
In the citing paper
“This may suggest that CM and LKM techniques require integration with mindfulness practices, and future research in this area is clearly needed.”
From Loving-Kindness and Compassion Meditation: Potential for Psychological Interventions (2011) · cites this paper as Fredrickson et al., 2008
In the citing paper
“For example, the modified LKM techniques employed in the study by Fredrickson and colleagues (2008) deviated from traditional LKM practices in ways they may have been somewhat inconsistent with the traditional practices (e.g., Buddharakkhita, 1995; Sujiva, 1991).”
From Loving-Kindness and Compassion Meditation: Potential for Psychological Interventions (2011) · cites this paper as Fredrickson et al., 2008
In the citing paper
“The positive affect system also fosters approach-oriented behaviors, such as exploration and social initiation, that increase exposure to potentially rewarding outcomes,31 thereby facilitating the acquisition of social, physical, and intellectual resources9, 10, 32 that promote resilience during stress and overall well-being33.”
From Upregulating the positive affect system in anxiety and depression: Outcomes of a positive activity intervention: Taylor et al. (2017) · cites this paper as [33]
In the citing paper
“Heightened positive affect—generated by the positive valence (approach/appetitive) system—facilitates positive social connections (Fredrickson, Cohn, Coffey, Pek, & Finkel, 2008; Kok et al., 2013; Waugh & Fredrickson, 2006; see Ramsey & Gentzler, 2015, for a review), above and beyond negative affective experiences (Strong & Aron, 2006), by guiding people toward (e.g., coordinating social initi”
From Enhancing social connectedness in anxiety and depression through amplification of positivity: Preliminary treatment outcomes and process of change (2020) · cites this paper as Fredrickson, Cohn, Coffey, Pek, & Finkel, 2008
In the citing paper
“predicted subsequent increases in feelings of connectedness with others”
From The affective tie that binds: Examining the contribution of positive emotions and anxiety to relationship formation in social anxiety disorder (2017) · cites this paper as Fredrickson et al., 2008
In the citing paper
“The role of positive emotions in facilitating social connections is well-documented (Fredrickson, 2013; Fredrickson et al., 2008; Gable & Berkman, 2008; Kok et al., 2013; Ramsey & Gentzler, 2015; Strong & Aron, 2006).”
From The affective tie that binds: Examining the contribution of positive emotions and anxiety to relationship formation in social anxiety disorder (2017) · cites this paper as Fredrickson et al., 2008
In the citing paper
“Six to seven weeks of meditation-based compassion training result in increases in positive mood and life satisfaction [21]”
From Short-term compassion training increases prosocial behavior in a newly developed prosocial game (2011) · cites this paper as [21]
In the citing paper
“Behavioral research has shown that short-term training of loving-kindness and compassion is associated with increases in daily positive affect (Kok et al., 2013), prosocial behavior (Leiberg et al., 2011;Weng et al., 2013), resilience (Fredrickson et al., 2008) and empathy (Mascaro et al., 2013).”
From Compassion-based emotion regulation up-regulates experienced positive affect and associated neural networks (2015) · cites this paper as Fredrickson et al., 2008
In the citing paper
“training compassion can foster emotional well-being (Fredrickson et al., 2008)”
From Differential pattern of functional brain plasticity after compassion and empathy training (2014) · cites this paper as Fredrickson et al., 2008
In the citing paper
“This modified DES has shown acceptable reliability with the positive emotions subscale, α = .79, and the negative emotions subscale with α = .69.”
From Mindfulness-Based Childbirth and Parenting Education: Promoting Family Mindfulness During the Perinatal Period (2010) · cites this paper as Fredrickson et al. 2008
In the citing paper
“Self-compassion has been considered a core quality of mindfulness [71] and is associated with lower stress and psychological symptoms in addition to greater well-being [72,73].”
From Efficacy of the Mindfulness Meditation Mobile App “Calm” to Reduce Stress Among College Students: Randomized Controlled Trial (2019) · cites this paper as [73]
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Compassion fatigue: A meta-narrative review of the healthcare literature.
Sinclair, S., Raffin-Bouchal, S., Venturato, L., Mijovic-Kondejewski, J., & Smith-MacDonald, L. (2017) · International Journal of Nursing Studies · doi:10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2017.01.003 · Cited by 542
“This suggests that the generation of compassion in response to distressing situations fosters emotional well-being (Fredrickson et al., 2008), positive emotions (Klimecki et al., 2013) and prosocial behavior, and ironically may represent a potent strategy for preventing burnout.”
BackgroundFeldman, G., Greeson, J., & Senville, J. (2010) · Behaviour Research and Therapy · doi:10.1016/j.brat.2010.06.006 · Cited by 455
“We selected these two comparison conditions because like MB, both PMR and LKM have been incorporated into multi-week clinical interventions (e.g., Bernstein & Borkovec, 1973; Fredrickson et al., 2008) but also lend themselves to stand-alone experimental manipulations that can be presented in a single session (e.”
MethodEnhancing Compassion: A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Compassion Cultivation Training Program
Jazaieri, H., Jinpa, T., McGonigal, K. M., Rosenberg, E. L., Finkelstein, J., Simon-Thomas, E. R., Cullen, M., Doty, J. R., Gross, J. J., & Goldin, P. R. (2012) · Journal of Happiness Studies · doi:10.1007/s10902-012-9373-z · Cited by 546
Meditation increases compassionate responses to suffering.
Condon, P., Desbordes, G., Miller, W. B., & DeSteno, D. (2013) · Psychological Science · doi:10.1177/0956797613485603 · Cited by 451
Desbordes, G., Negi, L. T., Pace, T. W. W., Wallace, B. A., Raison, C. L., & Schwartz, E. L. (2012) · Frontiers in Human Neuroscience · doi:10.3389/fnhum.2012.00292 · Cited by 458
“In a larger field experiment, Fredrickson et al. (2008) found that loving-kindness meditation produced increases over a 2-month period in daily experiences of positive emotions, which promoted increases in a wide range of personal resources (e.g., increased mindfulness, purpose in life, social…”
BackgroundKok, B. E., & Fredrickson, B. L. (2010) · Biological Psychology · doi:10.1016/j.biopsycho.2010.09.005 · Cited by 453
“Similar upward spiral patterns have been observed for positive emotions and mental health (Fredrickson et al., 2008), positive emotions and coping (Fredrickson and Joiner, 2002; Burns et al.”
BackgroundSelf-citationSalanova, M., Llorens, S., & Schaufeli, W. B. (2010) · Applied Psychology · doi:10.1111/j.1464-0597.2010.00435.x · Cited by 461
Short-term compassion training increases prosocial behavior in a newly developed prosocial game
Leiberg, S., Klimecki, O., & Singer, T. (2011) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0017798 · Cited by 442
“Self-benefiting effects of compassion training such as increases in positive mood, life satisfaction, decreased depressive symptoms [21], and less reactivity to psychosocial stress [23] have been reported before.”
BackgroundIt's the little things: Everyday gratitude as a booster shot for romantic relationships
Algoe, S. B., Gable, S. L., & Maisel, N. C. (2010) · Personal Relationships · doi:10.1111/j.1475-6811.2010.01273.x · Cited by 487
Aknin, L. B., De Neve, J.-E., Dunn, E. W., Fancourt, D. E., Goldberg, E., Helliwell, J. F., Jones, S. P., Karam, E., Layard, R., Lyubomirsky, S., et al. (2022) · Perspectives on Psychological Science · doi:10.1177/17456916211029964 · Cited by 418
“Strategies include mindfulness (Campos et al., 2016; Fredrickson et al., 2008; Grossman et al., 2004), gratitude (Davis et al.”
BackgroundGeschwind, N., Peeters, F., Drukker, M., van Os, J., & Wichers, M. (2011) · Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology · doi:10.1037/a0024595 · Cited by 433
Intensive meditation training, immune cell telomerase activity, and psychological mediators
Jacobs, T. L., Epel, E. S., Lin, J., Blackburn, E. H., Wolkowitz, O. M., Bridwell, D. A., Zanesco, A. P., Aichele, S. R., Sahdra, B. K., MacLean, K. A., et al. (2011) · Psychoneuroendocrinology · doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2010.09.010 · Cited by 432
Resilience in mental health: linking psychological and neurobiological perspectives.
Rutten, B. P. F., Hammels, C., Geschwind, N., Menne‐Lothmann, C., Pishva, E., Schruers, K., van den Hove, D., Kenis, G., van Os, J., & Wichers, M. (2013) · Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica · doi:10.1111/acps.12095 · Cited by 418
“In a randomized controlled trial, loving-kindness meditation was associated with increased levels of positive emotion, which in turn predicted reduced depressive symptoms (96).”
BackgroundReflections on Positive Emotions and Upward Spirals
Fredrickson, B. L., & Joiner, T. E. (2018) · Perspectives on Psychological Science · doi:10.1177/1745691617692106 · Cited by 468
“Those gains in resources have in turn been found to predict gains in life satisfaction and reductions in depressive symptoms (Fredrickson et al., 2008).”
BackgroundSelf-citationErisman, S. M., & Roemer, L. (2010) · Emotion · doi:10.1037/a0017162 · Cited by 411
Affective science and health: The importance of emotion and emotion regulation.
DeSteno, D. A., Gross, J. J., & Kubzansky, L. D. (2013) · Health Psychology · doi:10.1037/a0030259 · Cited by 476
Bajaj, B., & Pande, N. (2016) · Personality and Individual Differences · doi:10.1016/j.paid.2015.09.005 · Cited by 422
Can seeking happiness make people unhappy? Paradoxical effects of valuing happiness.
Mauss, I. B., Tamir, M., Anderson, C. L., & Savino, N. S. (2011) · Emotion · doi:10.1037/a0022010 · Cited by 434
Emotional intelligence mediates the relationship between mindfulness and subjective well-being
Schutte, N. S., & Malouff, J. M. (2011) · Personality and Individual Differences · doi:10.1016/j.paid.2011.01.037 · Cited by 461
Positive emotion regulation in emotional disorders: A theoretical review
Carl, J. R., Soskin, D. P., Kerns, C., & Barlow, D. H. (2013) · Clinical Psychology Review · doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2013.01.003 · Cited by 391
Fixing our focus: Training attention to regulate emotion
Wadlinger, H. A., & Isaacowitz, D. M. (2011) · Personality and Social Psychology Review · doi:10.1177/1088868310365565 · Cited by 396
“Adults who received the training, compared to a matched control group, showed increases over time in daily experiences of positive emotions (Fredrickson et al., 2008).”
BackgroundInfluentialThe job crafting intervention: Effects on job resources, self‐efficacy, and affective well‐being
van den Heuvel, M., Demerouti, E., & Peeters, M. C. W. (2015) · Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology · doi:10.1111/joop.12128 · Cited by 453
Updated thinking on positivity ratios.
Fredrickson, B. L. (2013) · American Psychologist · doi:10.1037/a0033584 · Cited by 463
“Several prospective correlational (Cohn et al., 2009) and now longitudinal randomized experiments (Fredrickson et al., 2008; Kok et al., 2013) demonstrate that daily experiences of positive emotions forecast and produce growth in personal resources such as competence (e.g., environmental mastery),…”
BackgroundSelf-citationDonald, J. N., Sahdra, B. K., Van Zanden, B., Duineveld, J. J., Atkins, P. W. B., Marshall, S. L., & Ciarrochi, J. (2019) · British Journal of Psychology · doi:10.1111/bjop.12338 · Cited by 371
Craske, M. G., Meuret, A. E., Ritz, T., Treanor, M., & Dour, H. J. (2016) · Depression and Anxiety · doi:10.1002/da.22490 · Cited by 387
“personal relationship with others, physical health, self-acceptance, satisfaction).[141] Preliminary evidence from proof-of-concept clinical trials in individuals with schizophrenia,[142] posttraumatic stress disorder,[143] and more recently in dysthymia[144] show increases in positive emotions, anhedonia, and an impr…”
BackgroundEffect of kindness-based meditation on health and well-being: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Galante, J., Galante, I., Bekkers, M.-J., & Gallacher, J. (2014) · Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology · doi:10.1037/a0037249 · Cited by 380
“Twelve studies contributed to this comparison (Carson et al., 2005; Condon et al., 2013; Crane et al., 2010; Fredrickson et al., 2008; Humphrey, 1999; Hunsinger et al., 2013; Jazaieri et al., 2012; Neff & Germer, 2013; Wallmark et al., 2013; Weibel, 2007 ; A.-L. Williams, Selwyn, Liberti, et al., 2005).”
BackgroundMethodResultInfluentialAwe activates religious and spiritual feelings and behavioral intentions.
Cappellen, P. V., & Saroglou, V. (2011) · Psychology of Religion and Spirituality · doi:10.1037/a0025986 · Cited by 369
Trends in Ambulatory Self-Report
Conner, T. S., & Barrett, L. F. (2012) · Psychosomatic Medicine · doi:10.1097/psy.0b013e3182546f18 · Cited by 392
Duncan, L. G., & Bardacke, N. (2010) · Journal of Child and Family Studies · doi:10.1007/s10826-009-9313-7 · Cited by 352
“This version of the DES was modified by Fredrickson (Fredrickson et al. 2008) to include additional positive affect items.”
Dambrun, M., & Ricard, M. (2011) · Review of General Psychology · doi:10.1037/a0023059 · Cited by 390
Stress and coping in the time of COVID-19: Pathways to resilience and recovery
Polizzi, C., Lynn, S. J., & Perry, A. (2020) · PubMed Central · doi:10.36131/cn20200204 · Cited by 520
Villani, D., Sorgente, A., Iannello, P., & Antonietti, A. (2019) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01525 · Cited by 435
The Emerging Study of Positive Empathy
Morelli, S. A., Lieberman, M. D., & Zaki, J. (2015) · Social and Personality Psychology Compass · doi:10.1111/spc3.12157 · Cited by 387
“Shared positive affect may bolster empathizers ’ personal resources (e.g., resilience), which they can then draw on to meet life ’ s challenges and opportunities (Cohn, Fredrickson, Brown, Mikels, & Conway, 2009; Fredrickson, Cohn, Coffey, Pek, & Finkel, 2008).”
BackgroundQuaglia, J. T., Braun, S. E., Freeman, S. P., McDaniel, M. A., & Brown, K. W. (2016) · Psychological Assessment · doi:10.1037/pas0000268 · Cited by 341
Everyday creative activity as a path to flourishing
Conner, T. S., DeYoung, C. G., & Silvia, P. J. (2016) · The Journal of Positive Psychology · doi:10.1080/17439760.2016.1257049 · Cited by 387
Jayawickreme, E., Forgeard, M. J. C., & Seligman, M. E. P. (2012) · Review of General Psychology · doi:10.1037/a0027990 · Cited by 341
Jazaieri, H., McGonigal, K. M., Jinpa, T., Doty, J. R., Gross, J. J., & Goldin, P. R. (2013) · Motivation and Emotion · doi:10.1007/s11031-013-9368-z · Cited by 385
“Our study and the findings of others have found a relationship between amount of meditation practice and reductions in worry (Fredrickson et al. 2008; Pace et al. 2009).”
Meyers, M. C., van Woerkom, M., & Bakker, A. B. (2012) · European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology · doi:10.1080/1359432x.2012.694689 · Cited by 387
“Furthermore, research on the broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions has found that happiness enhances creativity (Fredrickson, 2003) and facilitates the building of cognitive, physical, and social resources (Cohn & Fredrickson, 2010; Fredrickson et al., 2008).”
BackgroundResultInfluentialMindfulness, authentic functioning, and work engagement: a growth modeling approach
Leroy, H., Anseel, F., Dimitrova, N. G., & Sels, L. (2013) · Journal of Vocational Behavior · doi:10.1016/j.jvb.2013.01.012 · Cited by 336
Ouweneel, E., Blanc, P. M. L., & Schaufeli, W. B. (2011) · The Journal of Positive Psychology · doi:10.1080/17439760.2011.558847 · Cited by 367
“This hypothesis was previously confirmed in a study of Frederickson, Cohn, Coffey, Pek, and Finkel ( 2008 ) in which the effect of a loving-kindness intervention, using mindfulness meditation, was evaluated.”
ResultWichers, M. (2013) · Psychological Medicine · doi:10.1017/s0033291713001979 · Cited by 359
“The behavioural measures that were included were (i) current appraisal of degree of activity and (ii) current appraisal of social interactivity since there is scientific support for the idea that active behavioural patterns and engagement with the world around us play an essential role in mental health (Fredrickson et…”
BackgroundDonaldson, S. I., Dollwet, M., & Rao, M. A. (2014) · The Journal of Positive Psychology · doi:10.1080/17439760.2014.943801 · Cited by 371
An Introduction to Compassion Focused Therapy in Cognitive Behavior Therapy
Gilbert, P. (2010) · International Journal of Cognitive Therapy · doi:10.1521/ijct.2010.3.2.97 · Cited by 399
Boehm, J. K., Lyubomirsky, S., & Sheldon, K. M. (2011) · Cognition and Emotion · doi:10.1080/02699931.2010.541227 · Cited by 318
Garcia-Campayo, J., Navarro-Gil, M., Andrés, E., Montero-Marin, J., López-Artal, L., & Demarzo, M. M. (2014) · Health and Quality of Life Outcomes · doi:10.1186/1477-7525-12-4 · Cited by 306
“Several studies have demonstrated that MBIs increase positive emotions [7], and that positive emotions also foster positive outcomes for MBIs [8].”
BackgroundKramer, I., Simons, C. J. P., Hartmann, J. A., Menne-Lothmann, C., Viechtbauer, W., Peeters, F., Schruers, K., van Bemmel, A. L., Myin-Germeys, I., Delespaul, P., et al. (2014) · World Psychiatry · doi:10.1002/wps.20090 · Cited by 306
“It was demonstrated that especially positive affect – more than its counterpart, negative affect – is crucial and necessary in predicting recovery from depression (20-23).”
BackgroundAlexander, R., Aragón, O. R., Bookwala, J., Cherbuin, N., Gatt, J. M., Kahrilas, I. J., Kästner, N., Lawrence, A. B., Lowe, L. J., Morrison, R., et al. (2020) · Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews · doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.12.002 · Cited by 364
“Repeated engagement with LKM practice was associated with a cumulative increase in positive emotions (Fredrickson et al., 2008).”
Positive affective processes underlie positive health behaviour change
Cappellen, P. V., Rice, E. L., Catalino, L. I., & Fredrickson, B. L. (2017) · Psychology and Health · doi:10.1080/08870446.2017.1320798 · Cited by 337
“The outer loop represents the evidence-backed claim, based on the broaden-and-build theory, that positive affect builds a suite of endogenous resources (Fredrickson, 2013; Fredrickson et al., 2008; Kok et al., 2013).”
BackgroundInfluentialSelf-citationXu, J., & ROBERTS, R. E. (2010) · Health Psychology · doi:10.1037/a0016767 · Cited by 304
Cohn, M., & Fredrickson, B. L. (2010) · The Journal of Positive Psychology · doi:10.1080/17439760.2010.508883 · Cited by 336
“We recently conducted a randomized controlled trial (RCT) of LKM, a meditative practice that helps individuals evoke and intensify internal feelings of love, compassion, and other PEs (Fredrickson et al., 2008).”
BackgroundMethodInfluentialSelf-citationArch, J. J., Brown, K. W., Dean, D. J., Landy, L. N., Brown, K. D., & Laudenslager, M. L. (2014) · Psychoneuroendocrinology · doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2013.12.018 · Cited by 290
“Our work builds on the nascent work in this area (Fredrickson et al., 2008; Kok et al., 2013; Pace et al., 2009) in important ways.”
BackgroundMindfulness and sustainability
Ericson, T., Kjønstad, G. B., & Barstad, A. (2014) · Ecological Economics · doi:10.1016/j.ecolecon.2014.04.007 · Cited by 343
“One of the consequences of loving-kindness meditation is that participants becomemoremindful and aware of their surroundings (Fredrickson et al., 2008).”
BackgroundInfluential
Metadata
- Authors
- Fredrickson, B. L., Cohn, M. A., Coffey, K. A., Pek, J., & Finkel, S. M.
- Affiliations
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (US)
- University of Michigan (US)
- Venue
- Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
- Published
- 2008-11
- Volume
- 95
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 1045-1062
- ISSN
- 0022-3514 (ISSN-L)
- 1939-1315
- PMC
- PMC3156028
- OpenAlex
- W2125750403
- Cited by
- 2,365
- References
- 85
- Citations by year
- 2026: 74 · 2025: 170 · 2024: 121 · 2023: 127 · 2022: 186 · 2021: 119 · 2020: 227 · 2019: 153 · 2018: 162 · 2017: 172 · 2016: 147 · 2015: 161 · 2014: 142 · 2013: 125 · 2012: 109
- FWCI
- 74.92
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Locations
- Journal of Personality and Social Psychology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
- PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
- Carolina Digital Repository (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill) (submittedVersion)
- UNC Libraries
- Funders
- National Institute of Mental Health (MH59615)
- Compuware Corporation
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Aging and Gerontology Research
- Keywords
- loving-kindness meditation, positive emotions, broaden-and-build theory, personal resources, mindfulness, meaning of life, social support, disease symptoms, life satisfaction, depressive symptoms, hedonic treadmill, working adults
- MeSH terms
- Adaptation, Psychological, Adult, Awareness, Education, Emotions, Empathy, Female, Humans, Interpersonal Relations, Longitudinal Studies, Love, Male, Middle Aged, Personal Satisfaction, Personality Inventory, Quality of Life, Self Concept, Meditation
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