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Journal of Happiness Studies

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27-06-2018 | Research Paper

Looking Forward: The Effect of the Best-Possible-Self Intervention on Thriving Through Relative Intrinsic Goal Pursuits

Authors: Johannes Bodo Heekerens, Kathrin Heinitz

Published in: Journal of Happiness Studies | Issue 5/2019

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Abstract

How do positive interventions work? We hypothesized that an increase in the importance individuals place on intrinsic rather than extrinsic goal pursuits (relative intrinsic goal pursuits; RIGP) explains the effectiveness of the best possible self (BPS) intervention. We randomized 128 mainly female psychology undergraduates to perform either the BPS intervention or a daily activities control. We assessed thriving (comprehensive inventory of thriving) and RIGP (Aspiration Index) before, immediately after, and 2 weeks after the intervention. Results from a cross-lagged panel design path analysis indicate that the BPS intervention effectively increased thriving (r = .11, p = .010). However, RIGP do not mediate the intervention effect (95% CI [− 0.01, 0.01]). Our results challenge predictions derived from self-determination theory. We suggest that future studies test goal ambivalence as a mediator.

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Title: Looking Forward: The Effect of the Best-Possible-Self Intervention on Thriving Through Relative Intrinsic Goal Pursuits
Authors: Johannes Bodo Heekerens
Kathrin Heinitz
Publication date: 27-06-2018
Publisher: Springer Netherlands
Published in: Journal of Happiness Studies / Issue 5/2019
Print ISSN: 1389-4978
Electronic ISSN: 1573-7780
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-018-9999-6

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