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Published in: Journal of Happiness Studies 1-2/2024

01-02-2024 | Research Paper

Benefiting Individuals High in Both Self-Criticism and Dependency Through an Online Multi-component Positive Psychology Intervention: Effects and Mechanisms

Authors: Yanhe Deng, Jingru Zhang, Henry Chen, Sisi Tian, Yifei Zhang, Xiong Hu

Published in: Journal of Happiness Studies | Issue 1-2/2024

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Abstract

Personality vulnerabilities (i.e., dependency and self-criticism) have been established as critical risk factors for psychopathology in general and for depression in particular. However, research does not address ways of treating those who score high on both dependency and self-criticism, or mixed-vulnerability individuals. To benefit these individuals, we developed an online, group-administered, multi-component positive psychology intervention (MPPI) and tested its effects and mechanisms. Participants (N = 70) were randomly assigned to either receive the MPPI or an active placebo control. The six-session intervention took place over three weeks, and measures were completed at baseline, midtest, posttest, and one-month follow-up stages. Compared to the control condition, the MPPI significantly attenuated self-criticism and dependency for up to one month. The intervention also decreased depression and promoted self-esteem and subjective well-being (SWB). Parallel mediation analyses revealed that lower self-criticism mediated the intervention’s effects on depression, self-esteem, and SWB, while lower dependency mediated effects on self-esteem. This study highlights how an MPPI can decrease personality vulnerability in mixed-vulnerability individuals, and how this change can have further positive effects.

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Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Benefiting Individuals High in Both Self-Criticism and Dependency Through an Online Multi-component Positive Psychology Intervention: Effects and Mechanisms
Authors
Yanhe Deng
Jingru Zhang
Henry Chen
Sisi Tian
Yifei Zhang
Xiong Hu
Publication date
01-02-2024
Publisher
Springer Netherlands
Published in
Journal of Happiness Studies / Issue 1-2/2024
Print ISSN: 1389-4978
Electronic ISSN: 1573-7780
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-024-00713-2

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