Abstract
The broaden-and-build theory of emotions suggests that positive emotions such as happiness and hope expand thought-action
repertoires and support the building of resources and resilience to a variety of psychological disorders. Even brief, transient
experiences of positive emotions have been found to increase resilience measured one month later, suggesting a role for clinical
mood inductions. This study presents a preliminary test of the new Broad-Minded Affective Coping (BMAC) procedure, a positive
emotion induction technique involving the recall of positive autobiographical memories. Fifty people with schizophrenia-spectrum
disorders were randomly allocated to a condition where they either experienced the BMAC or a control procedure. Participants
who took part in the BMAC showed greater increases in both hope and happiness. These results suggest that the BMAC represents
a practical and effective method for boosting mood amongst individuals with psychosis-spectrum disorders.
repertoires and support the building of resources and resilience to a variety of psychological disorders. Even brief, transient
experiences of positive emotions have been found to increase resilience measured one month later, suggesting a role for clinical
mood inductions. This study presents a preliminary test of the new Broad-Minded Affective Coping (BMAC) procedure, a positive
emotion induction technique involving the recall of positive autobiographical memories. Fifty people with schizophrenia-spectrum
disorders were randomly allocated to a condition where they either experienced the BMAC or a control procedure. Participants
who took part in the BMAC showed greater increases in both hope and happiness. These results suggest that the BMAC represents
a practical and effective method for boosting mood amongst individuals with psychosis-spectrum disorders.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Article
- Pages 1-10
- DOI 10.1007/s10608-012-9453-8
- Authors
- J. Johnson, School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT UK
- P. A. Gooding, School of Psychological Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
- A. M. Wood, School of Psychological Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
- K. L. Fair, School of Psychological Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
- N. Tarrier, Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Kings College London, London, UK
- Journal Cognitive Therapy and Research
- Online ISSN 1573-2819
- Print ISSN 0147-5916