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“The very process made me happier!” Is pleasure research an affective intervention?
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

“The very process made me happier!” Is pleasure research an affective intervention?

Desirée Kozlowski, Steve Provost and Margaret L. Kern
The journal of positive psychology, Vol.20(4), pp.595-603
2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2024.2394441
Appears in  Recent Faculty of Health Publications
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Abstract

Pleasure positive psychology interventions savoring positive affect negative affect well-being Health psychology Health status (incl. wellbeing)
Participating in research on aversive topics can produce discomfort. However, the affective consequences of taking part in hedonic research are unknown. Positive psychology interventions (PPIs) harness personal strengths, values, beliefs, and emotions to promote optimal functioning. A growing body of evidence suggests they can be effective in addressing a range of mental health conditions and promoting well-being. Savoring is one of the more potent classes of PPIs, and even brief interventions can shift positive affect (PA) and negative affect (NA) in directions conducive to greater well-being. In a study of 1,804 Australian adults, we found that responding to an online survey asking about pleasure produced a small but significant increase in PA and a substantial reduction in NA. The magnitude of the effects was comparable with other published PPIs. We briefly discuss this finding in the context of emotional sensibility and consider the nexus between intervention and research.

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