To what extent do positive psychological interventions prevent negative functioning and promote well-being

Abstract

The prevalence rates of well-being show that only 17% of the world population is flourishing, which increases the risk in developing mental illnesses, such as depression. The use of Positive Psychology Interventions (PPIs) have been used in previous studies to increase well-being and buffer against negative functioning. The purpose of the present study is to investigate the relationship between well-being and negative functioning; it was hypothesized that there will be a negative correlation between well-being and negative functioning, that there will be an increase in well-being levels compared to the control group, a decrease in negative functioning levels compared to the control, and that exercise frequency will have a significant role in the increase and decrease of those levels compared to the control group. Method: An online intervention study with a between-measures design was used, consisting of three groups, one control and two experimental (gratitude and mindfulness). 203 participants (M= 29.65; SD = 11.59) completed the study. Participants had to fill-out a pre-test questionnaire, had eight days to practice their exercise, and a post-test questionnaire. Results: two Pearson’s correlations was used to check between CES-D and MHCSF during the pre-and-posttest and found statistically significant correlations (pre: r = -.705; df = 201; p = .000; r2= .497); (post: r = -.538; df = 201; p = .000; r2 = .289); a GLM ANCOVA showed that gratitude and mindfulness conditions did not lead to a greater decrease in negative functioning F(2,178) = 0.23; p = .17., nor with exercise frequency F(14,178) = 1.37; p = .18, and did not lead to an increase in well-being levels F(2,178) = 0.05; p = .953., nor with exercise frequency F(14,178) = 1.06; p = .40. Conclusions: While there is a negative correlation between well-being levels and negative functioning, the study did not find that the role of positive activities and exercise frequency have a significant effect in increasing well-being and decreasing negative functioning. We did find an increase in well-being levels over time due to exercise frequency.