Positive Emotions Training (PoET) as an online intervention to improve mental health: a feasibility study

BMC Public Health

Research

Xiao Chi Zhang¹  Lara Niemann¹  Celin von Gruner¹  Christina Totzeck²  Jürgen Margraf² 

[1]Mental Health Research and Treatment Centre, Ruhr University Bochum, Massenbergstrasse 11, 44797, Bochum, Germany

[2]Mental Health Research and Treatment Centre, Ruhr University Bochum, Massenbergstrasse 11, 44797, Bochum, Germany

[3]DZPG (German Center for Mental Health), Bochum/Marburg, Germany

关键词: Online training;    Positive emotions;    Positive psychology;    Mental health;    Low-threshold intervention;    Feasibility;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12889-023-16424-x

 received in 2023-02-21, accepted in 2023-07-31,  发布年份 2023

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundPositive psychology interventions are known to have an impact on mental health as well as on a number of beneficial characteristics like optimism, gratitude and self-efficacy. The Positive Emotions Training (PoET) is one of the first holistic training programs covering eleven positive psychology constructs. The goal of this study was to test PoET’s feasibility in the general population and to assess possible effects on positive and negative mental health factors. Additionally, possible effects on optimism, gratitude, happiness, resilience, and self-efficacy were examined.MethodsThe sample (n = 101) was not randomized. Participants were allocated to PoET (n = 55) or control group (n = 46) that did not receive treatment initially. The PoET group completed two training sessions (3.5 h each) that were conducted in an online format with groups of about 30 people. All participants completed positive and negative mental health measures at the beginning of the first training session and at the beginning of the second one as well as 30 days after the second session. Two-factorial repeated measures ANOVAs were conducted to test for possible effects of PoET on mental health.ResultsThe results showed that the contents were comprehensible and that the conduction of the training was feasible overall. In addition, a significant decrease of depression and anxiety symptoms as well as a significant increase of optimism were found in the PoET group. No significant changes were found in the control group.ConclusionsResults indicate that PoET is an applicable intervention for improving mental health in the general population.Trial registrationRetrospectively registered at ClinicalTrials.gov on 21/02/2023 (Identifier/Trial registration number: NCT05737251).

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© BioMed Central Ltd., part of Springer Nature 2023

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