Understanding Long-Term Trajectories in Web-Based Happiness Interventions: Secondary Analysis From Two Web-Based Randomized Trials

Abstract

Background A critical issue in understanding the benefits of Web-based interventions is the lack of information on the sustainability of those benefits. Sustainability in studies is often determined using group-level analyses that might obscure our understanding of who actually sustains change. Person-centric methods might provide a deeper knowledge of whether benefits are sustained and who tends to sustain those benefits. Objective The aim of this study was to conduct a person-centric analysis of longitudinal outcomes, examining well-being in participants over the first 3 months following a Web-based happiness intervention. We predicted we would find distinct trajectories in people’s pattern of response over time. We also sought to identify what aspects of the intervention and the individual predicted an individual’s well-being trajectory. Methods Data were gathered from 2 large studies of Web-based happiness interventions: one in which participants were randomly assigned to 1 of 14 possible 1-week activities (N=912) and another wherein participants were randomly assigned to complete 0, 2, 4, or 6 weeks of activities (N=1318). We performed a variation of K -means cluster analysis on trajectories of life satisfaction (LS) and affect balance (AB). After clusters were identified, we used exploratory analyses of variance and logistic regression models to analyze groups and compare predictors of group membership. Results Cluster analysis produced similar cluster solutions for each sample. In both cases, participant trajectories in LS and AB fell into 1 of 4 distinct groups. These groups were as follows: those with high and static levels of happiness (n=118, or 42.8%, in Sample 1; n=306, or 52.8%, in Sample 2), those who experienced a lasting improvement (n=74, or 26.8% in Sample 1; n=104, or 18.0%, in Sample 2), those who experienced a temporary improvement but returned to baseline (n=37, or 13.4%, in Sample 1; n=82, or 14.2%, in Sample 2), and those with other trajectories (n=47, or 17.0%, in Sample 1; n=87, or 15.0% in Sample 2). The prevalence of depression symptoms predicted membership in 1 of the latter 3 groups. Higher usage and greater adherence predicted sustained rather than temporary benefits. Conclusions We revealed a few common patterns of change among those completing Web-based happiness interventions. A noteworthy finding was that many individuals began quite happy and maintained those levels. We failed to identify evidence that the benefit of any particular activity or group of activities was more sustainable than any others. We did find, however, that the distressed portion of participants was more likely to achieve a lasting benefit if they continued to practice, and adhere to, their assigned Web-based happiness intervention.

Effectiveness of an app-based intervention to improve well-being through cultivating positive thinking and positive emotions in an adult sample: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

“…For instance, a comprehensive review of two large longitudinal data sets revealed that individuals who participated in online interventions were able to maintain their levels of well-being for several months. In particular, those who initially reported lower levels of well-being and continued to actively participate were more likely to experience lasting positive outcomes ( Sanders et al, 2019 ).…”

Six-Week Online Multi-component Positive Psychology Intervention Improves Subjective Wellbeing in Young Adults

“…Mental wellbeing can be defined as a state of optimal positive functioning that is related but independent from mental illness (World Health Organization, 2004 ). States of mental wellbeing are not only desirable in the general population (Parks et al, 2012 ; Sanders et al, 2019 ), but also associated with increased longevity (Martín-María et al, 2017 ) and health (Kushlev et al, 2020 ), improved work productivity (Gandy et al, 2016 ; Hamar et al, 2015 ), and resilience against mental illness (Grant et al, 2013 ; Iasiello et al, 2019 ; Lamers et al, 2015 ). Many people actively seek out methods to improve their mental wellbeing (Parks et al, 2012 ; Sanders et al, 2019 ).…”

“…States of mental wellbeing are not only desirable in the general population (Parks et al, 2012 ; Sanders et al, 2019 ), but also associated with increased longevity (Martín-María et al, 2017 ) and health (Kushlev et al, 2020 ), improved work productivity (Gandy et al, 2016 ; Hamar et al, 2015 ), and resilience against mental illness (Grant et al, 2013 ; Iasiello et al, 2019 ; Lamers et al, 2015 ). Many people actively seek out methods to improve their mental wellbeing (Parks et al, 2012 ; Sanders et al, 2019 ). Developing evidence-based interventions that are accessible to the general population is important to help individuals promote their own wellbeing and improve life satisfaction, health, and productivity of the general population.…”