Working mechanisms in positive interventions: A study using daily assessment of positive emotions

One commonly suggested mechanism in positive psychology interventions (PPIs) involves the elicitation of positive emotions. We examined (1) whether PPIs increase the intensity and variety of positive emotions; (2) which positive emotions are elicited by two different PPIs; and (3) the impact of positive emotions on well-being. In a randomized, controlled one-week intervention study, we compared the ‘three good things’ and the ‘three funny things’ intervention with a placebo control. We assessed the positive and negative emotions reported daily during the intervention, and the well-being and depressive symptoms directly before, after, and one week after the intervention. Results showed higher intensity and variety of positive emotions elicited by the PPIs, and increases in well-being could be explained by the intensity and variety of positive emotions. The study provides a model for how the mechanisms underlying PPIs can be studied and underlines the relevance of positive emotions in PPIs