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Open Access 01-02-2016 | Original Article

Always Approach the Bright Side of Life: A General Positivity Training Reduces Stress Reactions in Vulnerable Individuals

Authors: Eni S. Becker, Hannah Ferentzi, Gina Ferrari, Martin Möbius, Suzanne Brugman, José Custers, Naline Geurtzen, Joelle Wouters, Mike Rinck

Published in: Cognitive Therapy and Research | Issue 1/2016

Abstract

Emotional disorders are characterized by cognitive biases towards negative stimuli, and a lack of biases towards positive ones. Therefore, we developed a cognitive bias modification training, modifying approach-avoidance tendencies to diverse emotional pictures. In Study 1, a negative training (pull negative, push positive pictures) was compared to a positive training (vice versa) in 141 students. The pre-existing positivity bias remained after positive training, but reversed into a negativity bias after negative training. This effect transferred to an attentional bias. The training affected neither mood nor emotional vulnerability to stress. In Study 2, we investigated the effects of the positive training in 102 dysphoric and non-dysphoric students, all in a sad mood state. Compared to placebo training, the positive training strengthened a positivity bias, and it reduced emotional vulnerability in dysphoric students. This suggests potential therapeutic value of the training, but further studies are needed.

Including the baseline compatibility effect as a covariate did not change the results (p > .162).

These results remained non-significant after including the baseline compatibility effect as a covariate (p > .791).

Including the baseline compatibility effect as a covariate did not change these results (p > .475).

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Title: Always Approach the Bright Side of Life: A General Positivity Training Reduces Stress Reactions in Vulnerable Individuals
Authors: Eni S. Becker
Hannah Ferentzi
Gina Ferrari
Martin Möbius
Suzanne Brugman
José Custers
Naline Geurtzen
Joelle Wouters
Mike Rinck
Publication date: 01-02-2016
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Cognitive Therapy and Research / Issue 1/2016
Print ISSN: 0147-5916
Electronic ISSN: 1573-2819
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10608-015-9716-2

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Always Approach the Bright Side of Life: A General Positivity Training Reduces Stress Reactions in Vulnerable Individuals

Abstract

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Abstract

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