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The Effects of Positive Interventions on Happiness and Depressive Symptoms, with an Examination of Personality as a Moderator

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Abstract

The advent of positive psychology has triggered research into positive interventions, which focus on strengths instead of deficits. The present study aims to investigate the effects of gratitude and strengths-based interventions on happiness and depressive symptoms against a control group, as well as to explore personality traits as moderator variables of the potential effectiveness of these interventions. A total of 122 participants completed at least two stages of the research. Data were collected at three stages—baseline pre-test, post-intervention assessment, and 1-month follow-up assessment. The findings partially support the effectiveness of the gratitude and strengths-based interventions in increasing happiness and decreasing depressive symptoms compared to a control group. Two personality domains showed significance as moderator variables. More research is needed to enable a higher degree of control when administering these promising interventions.

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Acknowledgments

The article was based on the first author’s senior honors thesis submitted to HELP University, Malaysia. The authors gratefully acknowledge the support of Dr Anasuya Jegathevi Jegathesan as the instructor of the class from which participants were recruited, as well as Ms Lee Jue Ying, who helped with the compilation of some of the data.

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Correspondence to Konrad Senf.

Appendix: Examples of Items in Questionnaires

Appendix: Examples of Items in Questionnaires

1.1 Steen Happiness Index (SHI)

Question 1

  1. A.

    I dislike my daily routine.

  2. B.

    I neither enjoy nor dislike my daily routine.

  3. C.

    I enjoy my daily routine, but I do like to get away from it.

  4. D.

    I enjoy my daily routine so much that I rarely take breaks from it.

  5. E.

    I enjoy my daily routine so much that I almost never take breaks from it.

1.2 Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D)

  1. 1.

    I was bothered by things that usually don’t bother me

  2. 2.

    I felt hopeful about the future

1.3 IPIP Big-Five Personality Inventory (IPIP-PI)

  1. 1.

    I often feel blue (sample positively scored item for Neuroticism)

  2. 2.

    I feel comfortable around people (sample positively scored item for Extraversion)

  3. 3.

    I am not interested in abstract ideas (sample negatively scored item for Openness)

  4. 4.

    I have a good word for everyone (sample positively scored item for Agreeableness)

  5. 5.

    I waste my time (sample negatively scored item for Conscientiousness)

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Senf, K., Liau, A.K. The Effects of Positive Interventions on Happiness and Depressive Symptoms, with an Examination of Personality as a Moderator. J Happiness Stud 14, 591–612 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-012-9344-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-012-9344-4

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