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Effects of best possible self, strengths and gratitude interventions on SWB. 10 th Annual Australian Quality of Life Conference, Melbourne, 20 th November 2008. Elizabeth M. Clancy and Dianne A. Vella-Brodrick Monash University, Australia . Agenda. Background Aims & hypotheses
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Effects of best possible self, strengths and gratitude interventions on SWB 10th Annual Australian Quality of Life Conference, Melbourne, 20th November 2008 Elizabeth M. Clancy and Dianne A. Vella-Brodrick Monash University, Australia
Agenda Background Aims & hypotheses Research design Results Findings Further research questions
Background – Positive Psychology Subjective well-being and measurement Predictors of SWB SWB and personality (Keyes, Schmotkin & Ryff, 2002) Orientation to happiness (Peterson, Park & Seligman, 2005) Architecture of sustainable change (Lyubomirsky, Sheldon & Schkade, 2005) Self-concordant motivation (Sheldon & Elliot, 1999) Interventions developed to increase positive affect Best Possible Self (King, 2001) Gratitudes (Emmons & McCullough, ?) Strengths (Peterson and Seligman, 2004) Broaden and build theory (Fredrickson)
Research design Participants 68 adults, 77.9% female, Mean age 40.06 years Measures Ten Item Personality Inventory Orientations to happiness PANAS – state and trait Satisfaction with Life Scale Motivation Procedure Questionnaires administered through online survey tool
Return rate • 38%
Interventions Best Possible Self (BPS) Multiple administrations Gratitudes Strengths (VIA) Life details
Hypotheses That completing a best-possible self exercise is expected to produce an increase in SWB from baseline measurements. That completing a gratitudes or strengths exercise is expected to deliver an additional increase in SWB during the study, when compared with a life details placebo exercise. Changes in motivation are expected to moderate the effectiveness of any of the interventions performed, reflecting the “personal fit” of the exercise for the individual. A further aim of the study was to explore the influence of personality and orientations to happiness on the effectiveness of the best-possible self exercise.
Results Hypothesis 1 not supported with no overall change across the whole sample. Significant differences for gender
Results – Gender and intervention SWL: Interaction between group and gender: Females SWL: Interaction between group and gender: Males
Results – Motivation Motivation changes across study and groups
Discussion • Overall findings • Personality • Trait linkages confirmed but no significant differences with regard to groups • Orientations to happiness • No significant differences • Motivation
Further research • Larger sample size • More prolonged study • Gender • Personality • Orientations to happiness • Other interventions
Lots of ways to • C’Mon Get Happy