Inducing positive affect and positive future expectations using the best-possible-self intervention: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Heekerens, Johannes Bodo; Eid, Michael

doi:10.1080/17439760.2020.1716052

Cited by 45 publications

(32 citation statements)

References 99 publications

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“…Optimism is related to having a better level of physical health, quality of life, psychological well-being, hope, resilience, self-esteem, and social skills [ 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 ] and is related to a wide range of well-being indicators: lower levels of anxiety and depression, fewer suicide attempts, fewer maladaptive behaviors, more positive perceptions of oneself and the future, less chance of being victimized or excluded by others, higher sociometric indices, better social relationships, a more positive perception by others, and a greater ability to react to stressful events [ 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 ]. Optimism, therefore, seems to be associated with more positive perceptions about the future [ 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 ] and a greater ability to react to stressful situations and, therefore, is a predictor of psychological adaptation.…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Courage as Mediator between Positive Resources and General/Domain-Specific Well-Being Indices

Lodi

Perrella

Zarbo

et al. 2022

EJIHPE

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Background: the current post-pandemic situation has exacerbated the effects already present due to the recent socio-economic crises belonging to the first two decades of this century: perception of instability, fears, concern for the future, underemployment, undignified work. This situation has negatively impacted life in general, career paths, and perceived quality of life, especially for new generations. Positive resources such as optimism and hope can have a positive effect in countering these effects which are impacting student academic satisfaction, life satisfaction, and flourishing. In the hypothesis, courage acts as a mediator for both domain-specific and general well-being, as perceived by college students. Methods: the research involved 410 Italian university students. Five rating scales were used: Visions About the Future, Courage Measure, Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), the Flourishing Scale, and College Satisfaction Scale. Results: All research variables were significantly and positively correlated. The mediation model almost totally confirmed the hypotheses, as the relationship between optimism and academic satisfaction was totally mediated by courage. In other cases, optimism and hope had both a direct and an indirect effect, mediated by courage, on the life satisfaction, academic satisfaction, and flourishing of college students. Conclusions: the findings are discussed with recent theories and research on this topic, and suggestions are provided with practical implications for those involved in supporting the choice and construction of career paths.

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Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Courage as Mediator between Positive Resources and General/Domain-Specific Well-Being Indices

Lodi

Perrella

Zarbo

et al. 2022

EJIHPE

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“…These future aspirations are captured in what is termed a "best possible self," which is a personalized representation of who one aspires to be at their best in the future in a given domain (King, 2001). Prior research on best possible selves has shown that these reflections are positive and stimulating (Markus & Nurius, 1986), and as such, they are associated with positive affect (e.g., Carrillo et al, 2019;Heekerens, & Eid, 2020;King, 2001;Sheldon & Lyubomirsky, 2006). Furthermore, this work has suggested that reflecting on a best possible self may subsequently result in congruent behaviors enacted to move one closer to realizing that self (e.g., Boyatzis & Akrivou, 2006;King, 2001;Oyserman et al, 2015).…”

Section: Theoretical Overview and Hypothesis Developmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reflecting on one's best possible self as a leader: Implications for professional employees at work

Jennings

Lanaj

Koopman

et al. 2021

Personnel Psychology

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Most professional employees aspire to leadership, and this suggests that a best possible leader self-a personalized representation of who an employee aspires to be at their best as a leader in the future-is likely a relevant and motivating self-representation for employees at work. Integrating theory on best possible selves with control theory, we suggest that activating a best possible leader self can have beneficial effects for the way that any employee feels and behaves at work. Specifically, we propose that employees who reflect on their best possible leader self will enact more leadercongruent behaviors and subsequently perceive themselves as more leaderlike due to the positive affect generated by such reflection. We found support for our theoretical expectations in an experimental experience sampling study that included both current and aspiring leaders. On days when employees reflected on their best possible leader self, they engaged in more helping and visioning via positive affect. Furthermore, employees perceived themselves as more leaderlike after performing these leader-congruent behaviors, as captured by higher enacted leader identity and clout. We discuss theoretical and practical implications for research on leadership.

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“…The BPS intervention 33 could be used for prevention because it is brief, flexible 34 and well evidenced across various contexts 35 . Originally developed as an alternative trauma writing paradigm, 36 the BPS intervention is a disclosive writing exercise designed to help recipients set goals for a positive, imagined future 37 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The BPS intervention 33 could be used for prevention because it is brief, flexible 34 and well evidenced across various contexts. 35 Originally developed as an alternative trauma writing paradigm, 36 the BPS intervention is a disclosive writing exercise designed to help recipients set goals for a positive, imagined future. 37 There have been consistent empirical findings demonstrating the efficacy of the BPS intervention not just in promoting positive affect and related constructs such as optimism and well‐being.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The best possible self‐intervention as a viable public health tool for the prevention of type 2 diabetes: A reflexive thematic analysis of public experience and engagement

Gibson

Umeh

Davies

et al. 2021

Health Expectations

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Background Public health initiatives seek to modify lifestyle behaviours associated with risk (e.g., diet, exercise, and smoking), but underpinning psychological and affective processes must also be considered to maximize success. Objective This study aimed to qualitatively assess how participants engaged with and utilized the best possible self (BPS)‐intervention specifically as a type 2 diabetes (T2D) prevention tool. Design and Methods Fourteen participants engaged with a tailored BPS intervention. Reflexive thematic analysis analysed accounts of participant's experiences and feasibility of use. Results All participants submitted evidence of engagement with the intervention. The analysis considered two main themes: Holistic Health and Control. The analysis highlighted several nuanced ways in which individuals conceptualized their health, set goals, and received affective benefits, offering insights into how people personalized a simple intervention to meet their health needs. Conclusions To our knowledge, this is the first study to tailor the BPS intervention as a public health application for the prevention of T2D. The intervention enabled users to identify their best possible selves in a way that encouraged T2D preventive behaviours. We propose that our tailored BPS intervention could be a flexible and brief tool to assist public health efforts in encouraging change to aid T2D prevention. Public Contribution The format, language and application of the BPS intervention were adapted in response to a public consultation group that developed a version specifically for application in this study.

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Inducing positive affect and positive future expectations using the best-possible-self intervention: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Cited by 45 publications

References 99 publications

Courage as Mediator between Positive Resources and General/Domain-Specific Well-Being Indices

Courage as Mediator between Positive Resources and General/Domain-Specific Well-Being Indices

Reflecting on one's best possible self as a leader: Implications for professional employees at work

The best possible self‐intervention as a viable public health tool for the prevention of type 2 diabetes: A reflexive thematic analysis of public experience and engagement

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