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BMC Public Health
Published in: BMC Public Health 1/2023

Open Access 01-12-2023 | Research

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

Authors: Lara Niemann, Celin von Gruner, Xiao Chi Zhang, Jürgen Margraf, Christina Totzeck

Published in: BMC Public Health | Issue 1/2023

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Abstract

Background

Positive 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.

Methods

The 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.

Results

The 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.

Conclusions

Results indicate that PoET is an applicable intervention for improving mental health in the general population.

Trial registration

Retrospectively registered at ClinicalTrials.gov on 21/02/2023 (Identifier/Trial registration number: NCT05737251).
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Metadata
Title
Positive Emotions Training (PoET) as an online intervention to improve mental health: a feasibility study
Authors
Lara Niemann
Celin von Gruner
Xiao Chi Zhang
Jürgen Margraf
Christina Totzeck
Publication date
01-12-2023
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Public Health / Issue 1/2023
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2458
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-16424-x

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