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A Meta-Analysis of the Effectiveness of Randomized Controlled Positive Psychological Interventions on Subjective and Psychological Well-Being

Author

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  • Selda Koydemir

    (University of Bamberg)

  • Aslı Bugay Sökmez

    (Middle East Technical University, Northern Cyprus Campus)

  • Astrid Schütz

    (University of Bamberg)

Abstract

We conducted a meta-analysis to analyze the effects of randomized controlled positive psychological interventions on subjective and psychological well-being. Our aim was to extend previous research by following a more comprehensive approach in the selection of studies, by including new moderators, by focusing on adult nonclinical populations and increases in well-being, and by comparing the effects of interventions targeting subjective and psychological well-being (i.e., hedonism or eudemonia) or a combination of the two. In contrast to previous analyses, we compared effects on different outcomes and contrasted effects of technology-assisted interventions with traditional ones. We included 68 randomized controlled studies of nonclinical populations with a total of 16,085 participants. The results showed that positive psychological interventions do increase well-being. The overall effect size (Cohen’s d) was 0.23, but it was 0.08 for psychological well-being, 0.22 for subjective well-being, and 0.43 when the studies targeted both types of well-being. Longer interventions showed stronger immediate effects than shorter ones, and interventions based on traditional methods were more effective than those that used technology-assisted methods. With respect to short-term outcomes, there was a negative relation to age, but when long-term effects were considered, the relation to age was positive. Overall, we also found evidence of long-term effects of the interventions.

Suggested Citation

  • Selda Koydemir & Aslı Bugay Sökmez & Astrid Schütz, 2021. "A Meta-Analysis of the Effectiveness of Randomized Controlled Positive Psychological Interventions on Subjective and Psychological Well-Being," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 16(3), pages 1145-1185, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:ariqol:v:16:y:2021:i:3:d:10.1007_s11482-019-09788-z
    DOI: 10.1007/s11482-019-09788-z
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    2. Bruce W. Smith & Naila deCruz-Dixon & Kelly Erickson & Anne Guzman & Alvin Phan & Kaitlyn Schodt, 2023. "The Effects of an Online Positive Psychology Course on Happiness, Health, and Well-Being," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 24(3), pages 1145-1167, March.
    3. Agnieszka Bojanowska & Łukasz D. Kaczmarek & Beata Urbanska & Malwina Puchalska, 2022. "Acting on Values: A Novel Intervention Enhancing Hedonic and Eudaimonic Well-Being," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 23(8), pages 3889-3908, December.
    4. Carmem M. Cunha & Nathalie Dens & Georg D. Granic, 2023. "University Students’ Well-Being and Engagement in Activities in the Early Days of Covid-19," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 18(1), pages 279-303, February.

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