The DOI matches its Crossref record; 72 of the 72 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
Delivering Happiness: Translating Positive Psychology Intervention Research for Treating Major and Minor Depressive Disorders
Open accessAbstract
Despite the availability of many treatment options, depressive disorders remain a global public health problem. Even in affluent nations, 70% of reported cases either do not receive the recommended level of treatment or do not get treated at all, and this percentage does not reflect cases of depression that go unreported due to lack of access to health care, stigma, or other reasons. In developing countries, the World Health Organization estimates that <10% receive proper depression care due to poverty, stigma, and lack of governmental mental health resources and providers. Current treatments do not work for everyone, and even people who achieve remission face a high risk of recurrence and residual disability. The development of low-cost effective interventions that can serve either as initial therapy for mild symptoms or as adjunctive therapy for partial responders to medication is an immense unmet need. Positive activity interventions (PAIs) teach individuals ways to increase their positive thinking, positive affect, and positive behaviors. The majority of such interventions, which have obtained medium-size effect sizes, have been conducted with nondepressed individuals, but two randomized controlled studies in patients with mild clinical depression have reported promising initial findings. In this article, the authors review the relevant literature on the effectiveness of various types of PAIs, draw on social psychology, affective neuroscience and psychophamacology research to propose neural models for how PAIs might relieve depression, and discuss the steps needed to translate the potential promise of PAIs as clinical treatments for individuals with major and minor depressive disorders.
Overview
The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.
Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Verification
Claims the paper makes
The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.
Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
The cited source says what the claim attributes to it.
In the citing paper
“Others have suggested that positive psychological interventions may be more useful for people who are not benefiting from or not accessing traditional treatments [13].”
From What might affect acceptability of online positive psychology interventions for depression: A qualitative study on patient expectations' (2018) · cites this paper as [13]
The cited source says what the claim attributes to it.
In the citing paper
“Previously it has been assumed that people with depression may be relatively more likely to benefit as they may be motivated to find the positives [13].”
From What might affect acceptability of online positive psychology interventions for depression: A qualitative study on patient expectations' (2018) · cites this paper as [13]
Self-check
Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.
The self-check needs the paper’s full text.
Citations
Cites
Fredrickson, B. L. (2001) · American Psychologist · doi:10.1037//0003-066x.56.3.218 · Cited by 18,025
Kessler, R. C., Chiu, W. T., Demler, O., & Walters, E. E. (2005) · Archives of General Psychiatry · doi:10.1001/archpsyc.62.6.617 · Cited by 12,052
The benefits of frequent positive affect: Does happiness lead to success?
Lyubomirsky, S., King, L., & Diener, E. (2005) · Psychological Bulletin · doi:10.1037/0033-2909.131.6.803 · Cited by 7,143
Self-citationPositive Psychology Progress: Empirical Validation of Interventions.
Seligman, M. E. P., Steen, T. A., Park, N., & Peterson, C. (2005) · American Psychologist · doi:10.1037/0003-066x.60.5.410 · Cited by 5,947
Resilient Individuals Use Positive Emotions to Bounce Back From Negative Emotional Experiences.
Tugade, M. M., & Fredrickson, B. L. (2004) · Journal of Personality and Social Psychology · doi:10.1037/0022-3514.86.2.320 · Cited by 3,947
Emmons, R. A., & McCullough, M. E. (2003) · Journal of Personality and Social Psychology · doi:10.1037//0022-3514.84.2.377 · Cited by 3,826 · cited 1×
“…exercises that have been tested in randomized controlled interventions include writing letters of gratitude, 22–24 counting one’s blessings, 25–27 practicing optimism, 22,23,28,29 performing acts of kindness, 30,31 meditating on positive feelings toward others, 32 and using one’s signature…”
The grateful disposition: A conceptual and empirical topography.
McCullough, M. E., Emmons, R. A., & Tsang, J.-A. (2002) · Journal of Personality and Social Psychology · doi:10.1037//0022-3514.82.1.112 · Cited by 3,664
Pursuing Happiness: The Architecture of Sustainable Change
Lyubomirsky, S., Sheldon, K. M., & Schkade, D. (2005) · Review of General Psychology · doi:10.1037/1089-2680.9.2.111 · Cited by 3,203
Self-citationSin, N. L., & Lyubomirsky, S. (2009) · Journal of Clinical Psychology · doi:10.1002/jclp.20593 · Cited by 2,955 · cited 2×
“46 The magnitude of these effects was medium-sized (mean r = 0.29 for well-being and 0.31 for depression)—an impressive finding, considering that many of these interventions were very brief, self-administered positive activities rather than therapy (see Table 1 for individual, self-administered, PAI…”
InfluentialSelf-citationPositive Emotions Trigger Upward Spirals Toward Emotional Well-Being
Fredrickson, B. L., & Joiner, T. (2002) · Psychological Science · doi:10.1111/1467-9280.00431 · Cited by 2,655
Flagged first, then by citations
Research works printed but not linked: 8
- Seligman MEP, 2011, Flourish: A New Understanding of Life's Greatest Goals—And What It Takes to Reach Them
- Hollon SD, 2009, Handbook of Depression, 468
- Beach SRH, 2009, Handbook of Depression, 624
- 10.1037/0022-3514.82.1.112 · DOI · Paper page
- 10.1037/0022-3514.84.2.377 · DOI · Paper page
- 10.1037/0021-843X.97.3.357 · DOI · Paper page
- 10.1037/0003-066X.56.3.218 · DOI · Paper page
- Seligman MEP, 2002, Authentic Happiness
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Items 101–148 of 148
Schameri, S. A., Plattner, B., Rainer, L. J., Gampe, H., Salcher, B., Grebosz‐Haring, K., Klettner, M.-C., & Winds, K. (2026) · Behavioral Sciences · doi:10.3390/bs16020170 · Cited by 3
“Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) (Butler et al., 2006; Young, 2009) and Multifamily Therapy (Zhou & Wang, 2021) remain dominant, whereas Positive Psychology frameworks have introduced valuable strategies for enhancing social quality and positive emotions (Layous et al., 2011; Park et al., 2016).”
Zhang, C., Li, C., Li, H., & Liu, H. (2026) · Journal of Travel & Tourism Marketing · doi:10.1080/10548408.2025.2577914 · Cited by 2
“Previous research has shown that fostering positive emotions is beneficial for improving the mental health of individuals with psychological issues (Layous et al., 2011).”
Positive psychodrama in organizations
Orkibi, H. (2023) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-0-323-91841-1.00023-3 · Cited by 2
Positive affect predicts cerebral glucose metabolism in late middle-aged adults
Nicholas, C. R. N., Hoscheidt, S. M., Clark, L. R., Racine, A. M., Berman, S. E., Koscik, R. L., Dowling, N. M., Asthana, S., Christian, B. T., Sager, M. A., et al. (2017) · Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience · doi:10.1093/scan/nsx027 · Cited by 3
“This may have implications for interventions aimed at increasing and/or maintaining positive affect (Layous et al., 2011; Proyer et al., 2014; Seligman et al., 2005; Sin and Lyubomirsky, 2009).”
BackgroundPositivity at Work: It’s Not a Contradiction!
Lambert, L., Topolskaya, E., Warren, M. A., & Habib, M. A. (2019) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-030-13921-6_7 · Cited by 3
Balancing Between Work and Life: Determinants and Dynamics
Imtiaz, A., & Hossain, M. M. (2019) · Journal of Economics and Business · doi:10.31014/aior.1992.02.02.86 · Cited by 2
Yoga - Meditation and Positive PsychologyPreprint
Agrawal, J. (2022) · doi:10.31231/osf.io/pz7gd · Cited by 2
Notter, O. (2013) · Open Access Victoria University of Wellington | Te Herenga Waka (Figshare) · doi:10.26686/wgtn.17005888 · Cited by 2
“significant decreases in depressive symptoms (Layous et al., 2011; Norrish & Vella-Brodrick, 2009; Seligman, Ernst, Gillham, Reivich, & Linkins, 2009; Sin & Lyubomirsky, 2009).”
BackgroundSorbi, M. H., Rahmanian, M., & Azizi, R. (2019) · Thrita · doi:10.5812/thrita.63926 · Cited by 1
“(18) presented a new model for the effectiveness of positive interventions.”
BackgroundLocal brain abnormalities in emotional disorders: Evidence from resting state fMRI studies
Jia, X., Li, M.-T., Wang, C., Antwi, C. O., Darko, A. P., Zhang, B., & Ren, J. (2024) · Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews Cognitive Science · doi:10.1002/wcs.1694 · Cited by 1
Large Language Models in the Assessment and Care of Internet Gaming Disorder
Kranas, A., & Verykios, V. S. (2026) · AI in Medicine · doi:10.3390/aimed1010006 · Cited by 1
“A gamified VR module, guided by an LLM-narrated storyline, could teach coping skills through interactive quests, blending entertainment with treatment to boost engagement among reluctant adolescents [62].”
Şermet, M. B., Zerulo, S., Ruta, F., Özyazıcıoğlu, N., Özçete, N., Selva, G. L., Cassano, T., & Monacis, L. (2026) · The Arts in Psychotherapy · doi:10.1016/j.aip.2026.102443 · Cited by 2
Neuroscience can contribute to change management: STREAP-Be model
Nguyen-Phuong-Mai, M. (2022) · Routledge eBooks · doi:10.1201/9781003265061-17 · Cited by 1
Schütz, K. (2022) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-662-64510-9_5 · Cited by 1
Babić, S. (2019) · Journal for the Psychology of Language Learning · doi:10.52598/jpll/1/1/8 · Cited by 1
Morris, B. H. (2014) · Digital Commons - University of South Florida (University of South Florida)
Diabetes mellitus and health outcomes: the role of positive affect
Patel, M. R. (2013) · University of Brighton Repository (University of Brighton)
Why not "double schizophrenia"?
Sperling, W., & Müller, H. (2011) · Medical Hypotheses · doi:10.1016/j.mehy.2011.08.004
“present over a period of several months and tending to be somewhat milder, and an additional depressive episode with typical symptoms of depression lasting at least 2 weeks [1–4].”
BackgroundMiron‐Shatz, T., Diener, E., Doniger, G. M., Moore, T. M., & Saphire-Bernstein, S. (2013) · Judgment and Decision Making · doi:10.1017/s1930297500003697
“Indeed, interventions within the paradigm of positive psychology have increased positive emotions and sense of engagement and meaning, while reducing depressive symptoms for up to six months (Boehm & Lyubomirsky, 2009; Layous et al., 2011; Lyubomirsky et al., 2005; Seligman et al., 2006; Seligman et al., 2005; Mongrai…”
BackgroundInfluentialSunding, B. A. (2015) · Journal of Psychology & Clinical Psychiatry · doi:10.15406/jpcpy.2015.02.00084 · Cited by 2
“During the last decade, positive psychologists have widely researched human strengths such as resiliency, positive emotions such as happiness and concepts such as life satisfaction [20-22].”
Backgroundder Smit, E. V. (2015) · Boloka Institutional Repository (North-west University)
de Manincor, & Michael, J. (2017)
Hein, C. L. (2018) · Lincoln (University of Nebraska)
Strengths‐Based Theories and Sexual Offending
Willis, G. M., & Yates, P. M. (2016) · doi:10.1002/9781118574003.wattso018
Burucu, R., & DÖNMEZ, H. (2021) · Journal of General Health Sciences (JGEHES) Necmettin Erbakan University · doi:10.51123/jgehes.2021.17
Exploring Supervisor Experiences of Hope in Clinical Supervision: A Phenomenological Approach
Byrom, R. (2021) · Lincoln (University of Nebraska)
Developing the PP Balance Model Scale and Fuzzy Logic Evaluation of the Latent Variable
Memmedova, K., & Kan, Ş. G. (2022) · Lecture notes in networks and systems · doi:10.1007/978-3-030-92127-9_61
Pandey, J. M., & Garg, S. (2020) · IGI Global eBooks · doi:10.4018/978-1-7998-3432-8.ch003
(2021) · Mardaga eBooks · doi:10.3917/mard.hanse.2021.01.0359
DEMİRCİ, İ. S. Ü. (2019) · DergiPark (Istanbul University)
Does Using Social Network Sites Reduce Depression and Promote Happiness?
Yu, S. (2022) · IGI Global eBooks · doi:10.4018/978-1-6684-6307-9.ch062
The influence of exercising on the negative emotions of high school students
Lin, Z. (2022) · BCP Social Sciences & Humanities · doi:10.54691/bcpssh.v19i.1620
The Effects of Psychological Characteristics on Financial Behavior During COVID-19
Kırkpınar, A., & Köroğlu, Ş. (2022) · Science, technology and innovation studies · doi:10.1007/978-3-031-13142-4_5
Introduction: Applying Positive Psychology Principles to Foster Development in Midlife and Older Age
Crăciun, I. C. (2023) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-031-24449-0_1
تحليل جودة العمل والحياة للمواطنين الكويتيين أثناء تفشي Covid-19
عبدالرزاق, ج. ع. ا., & النخيلان, خ. (2023) · حوليات أداب عين شمس · doi:10.21608/aafu.2023.287485
Zakaria, I., Zamri, M. N., Anual, N., & Karim, Z. H. A. (2023) · International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences · doi:10.6007/ijarbss/v13-i6/16758
“In addition, studies in the United States and the United Kingdom showed that depression is one of the most common consequences of work-life imbalance, resulting in lower productivity and higher absenteeism (Layous et al., 2011; Seligman, 2011).”
BackgroundAliasah, M. W. S., Mokhtar, S., Othman, I. W., Ationg, R., & Esa, M. S. (2023) · International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Management Practices · doi:10.35631/ijemp.621013
Crăciun, I. C. (2023) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-031-44679-5_1
Shange, E. M., & Nyide, C. J. (2023) · Journal of Educational and Social Research · doi:10.36941/jesr-2023-0149
“…studies in which it was found that poor psychological well-being was one of the most common consequences of work-life imbalance, which ultimately resulted in compromised academic productivity and a higher frequency of absenteeism and turn-over intentions (Layous et al., 2011; Seligman, 2018).”
BackgroundAdaptation of Well-being Literacy Scale to Turkish: Validity and Reliability Study
Akalın, M. B., & Işık, Ş. (2024) · Türk Psikolojik Danışma ve Rehberlik Dergisi · doi:10.17066/tpdrd.1392848_10 · Cited by 2
Rahbari Nezhad, A., & Moghadam, S. M. (2024) · مجله دانشگاه علوم پزشکی تربت حیدریه · doi:10.61186/jmsthums.12.2.78
Improving resilience through monodrama
Told, M. (2024) · Zeitschrift für Psychodrama und Soziometrie · doi:10.1007/s11620-024-00835-y
Navigating the Well-Being Status of Single Women in India
Choudhary, A., Macorya, A. K., Shukla, A., & Singh, A. (2024) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-981-96-0986-4_4
The Effectiveness of Positive Psychology Intervention (PPI) for Persons Who Use Drugs (PWUDs)
Masanda, A. B. (2026) · Journal of Primary Care & Community Health · doi:10.1177/21501319251380631
(2016) · PubMed Central · doi:10.22074/ijfs.2016.4775 · Cited by 27
Metadata
- Authors
- Layous, K., Chancellor, J., Lyubomirsky, S., Wang, L., & Doraiswamy, P. M.
- Affiliations
- University of California, Riverside (US)
- Duke University (US)
- Corresponding author
- Lyubomirsky, Sonja
- Venue
- The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2011-08
- Volume
- 17
- Issue
- 8
- Pages
- 675-683
- ISSN
- 1075-5535 (ISSN-L)
- 1557-7708
- OpenAlex
- W2009160974
- Cited by
- 148
- References
- 71
- Citations by year
- 2026: 5 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 11 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 15 · 2021: 9 · 2020: 9 · 2019: 9 · 2018: 13 · 2017: 11 · 2016: 11 · 2015: 14 · 2014: 10 · 2013: 7 · 2012: 7
- FWCI
- 1.09
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- escholarship.org
- Locations
- The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine (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 › Psychotherapy Techniques and Applications
- Keywords
- positive psychology interventions, major depressive disorder, depression treatment, low-cost interventions, adjunctive therapy, treatment-resistant depression, affective neuroscience, psychopharmacology, clinical translation, access to mental health care, depression stigma
- MeSH terms
- Affect, Behavior, Depression, Depressive Disorder, Happiness, Health Education, Humans, Thinking, Outcome Assessment, Health Care, Biomedical Research
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review
