The DOI matches its Crossref record; 87 of the 87 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
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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In the citing paper
“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
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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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Citations
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InfluentialFredrickson, B. L. (2001) · American Psychologist · doi:10.1037//0003-066x.56.3.218 · Cited by 18,025 · cited 2×
“The broaden-and-build theory ( Fredrickson, 1998, 2001 ) states that, over time, recurrent experiences of positive emotions allow people to build consequential personal resources.”
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“Our third index of social resources was drawn from Ryff’s (1989) psychological well-being scale (see above).”
The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being
Brown, K. W., & Ryan, R. M. (2003) · Journal of Personality and Social Psychology · doi:10.1037/0022-3514.84.4.822 · Cited by 13,448 · cited 2×
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Mindfulness-based interventions in context: Past, present, and future.
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Compassion: an evolutionary analysis and empirical review
Goetz, J. L., Keltner, D., & Simon-Thomas, E. (2010) · Psychological Bulletin · doi:10.1037/a0018807 · Cited by 2,200
Positive Emotions Broaden and Build
Fredrickson, B. L. (2013) · Advances in Experimental Social Psychology · doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-407236-7.00001-2 · Cited by 1,907
“…interest in the longrange effects ofmind-training techniques (e.g.,Davidson et al., 2003), andwith grant support fromNIMH, I launched an initial longitudinal field experiment of the effects of learning LKM on the experience of positive emotions and resource-building (Fredrickson et al., 2008).”
BackgroundInfluentialSelf-citationCreswell, J. D. (2017) · Annual Review of Psychology · doi:10.1146/annurev-psych-042716-051139 · Cited by 1,702
“It is important to note that mindfulness interventions can be distinguished from compassion (or loving-kindness) meditation programs, which have been receiving more scientific interest in recent years (e.g., Fredrickson et al. 2008).”
The origins and nature of compassion focused therapy
Gilbert, P. (2014) · British Journal of Clinical Psychology · doi:10.1111/bjc.12043 · Cited by 1,593
Happiness unpacked: Positive emotions increase life satisfaction by building resilience.
Cohn, M. A., Fredrickson, B. L., Brown, S. L., Mikels, J. A., & Conway, A. M. (2009) · Emotion · doi:10.1037/a0015952 · Cited by 1,713
Self-citation
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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