Positive Affect and Health: What Do We Know and Where Next Should We Go?

Abstract

Positive affect (PA) is associated with better health across a wide range of physical health outcomes. This review reflects on why the study of PA is an essential component of our understanding of physical health and expands on pathways that connect these two variables. To encourage forward movement in this burgeoning research area, measurement and design issues in the study of PA and health are discussed, as are the connections between PA and a range of different health outcomes. Plausible biological, social, and behavioral pathways that allow for positive feelings to get under the skin and influence physical wellness are detailed and framed in the context of several theoretical models. Finally, new directions for the field and important methodological and interpretative considerations that are essential to moving this important research area forward are explored.

Cultivating a healthy neuro‐immune network: A health psychology approach

“…Taken together, these studies provide preliminary support for the influential role of positive psychological states on inflammatory activity in the periphery, highlighting effects on level 1 processes. Research has demonstrated both direct and stress‐buffering effects of positive states on peripheral inflammation, consistent with the broader literature on positive affect which suggests both main and moderated effects on a variety of health outcomes (Pressman et al, ). To date, there has been minimal examination of positive states in relation to the other two levels of our model: inflammatory processes in the CNS and neuro‐immune signaling pathways/integrity of the BBB.…”

“…Of note, positive affect is a heterogeneous construct, measured in a variety of ways (Pressman, Jenkins, & Moskowitz, ). In some studies, for example, positive affect is measured via a 1‐item response reflecting “happiness” (Steptoe et al, ), whereas in others, positive affect refers to a composite of various mood states, encompassing aspects of enthusiasm, energy level, and enjoyment (Prather et al, ).…”

Effects of emotions on heart rate asymmetry

“…Our findings suggest that accounting for the contribution of decelerations and accelerations to the total HRV is likely to generate new questions regarding the relationship between heart action and emotional processing. For instance, given that decelerating capacity of the heart is related to better health outcomes (Guzik et al, ; Ricca‐Mallada et al, ), other studies on HRA might focus on more comprehensive understanding which physiological effects of positive emotions contribute to the facilitation of healthy physiological responses (Pressman, Jenkins, & Moskowitz, ). Other uses for HRA might be examined in future psychophysiological studies (e.g., focused on cognition, motivation, and behavior).…”

Effects of trait emotion regulation on stress responsivity

“…A wealth of research has described the association between cardiovascular disease risk and the experience of heightened NA (for a review see; Suls & Bunde, 2005), and has highlighted the potential protective influence of positive emotions (for reviews see; Boehm & Kubzansky, 2012;Folkman, 2008;Pressman, Jenkins, & Moskowitz, 2019). Individual differences in the propensity to engage in reappraisal and suppression correlate with a range of TRAIT ER AND CVR 4 psychological outcomes, in particular PA, NA, depression and anxiety.…”