WEEK 7 The Positive Side Positive Affect Optimism and Benefit Finding Positive Psychology Eudaiomonic Well Being realization of personal potential Purpose in life self acceptance positive relations with others environmental mastery autonomy personal growth Hedonic Well Being experiences of happiness and satisfaction Positive affect PA life satisfaction absence of negative affect Positive emotions expand people s mindset which builds cognitive emotional and social resources unlike negative ones which narrow the scope of people s actions and thinking which makes it difficult to respond appropriately to a threat Fredrickson s Broaden and Build Theory Effect on Physical Health Growing evidence for beneficial effect of PA on physical health Predicts lower mortality among people with HIV diabetes catholic nuns and older individuals Expressing positive emotions in interviews is associated with lower rate of coronary heart disease over a 10 year follow up Positive Affect and Colds Assessed over one day associated with lower cortisol Assessed over 7 day period and associated with reduced cortisol response to stress Stress Buffering Effect Decreases inflammation in breast cancer survivors Happy vs Fulfilled Study compared effects of hedonic and eudaimonic well being on inflammation H How often did you feel happy F How often did you feel that you had something to contribute to society Eudaimonic well being was associated with reduced inflammatory signaling Eudaimonic Can We Make Ourselves Happier Experiment Intervention to increased positive affect based on theoretical and empirical literature on positive affect and coping with stress Intervention components noting positive events and capitalizing on them showing gratitude positive reappraisal personal strengths goal setting acts of kindness and mindfulness Methods Non randomized study on men and women who were newly diagnosed with HIV Increased positive affect and decreased negative affect but it still needs to be tested in a randomized controlled design Self Affirmation Theory Another kind of positive psych manipulation which involves affirming the valued sources of self wroth such as important personal qualities values or relationships can buffer threats to the self reducing the impact that these threats have on both physiological and psychological responses Experiment Can self affirmation buffer a physiological stress response UCSB undergrads would pick two of the most important and least important values and were put into two conditions affirmation condition and no affirmation condition The results show that self affirmation buffers SNS response to midterm stress and also shows a lower salivary cortisol response Optimism Generalized positive outcome expectancies Assessed with Life Orientation Test LOT Optimism and Mental Health Related to lower distress and mediated by the use of active approach oriented coping strategies Optimism and Physical Health There s evidence that optimism does not compromise health behavior and promotes positive behaviors Meta analysis concludes that optimism is associated with better physical health Small effect but its associated with lower mortality longer survival and lower incidence of cardiovascular disease Optimism and CHD Study examined the association between optimism and CHD in 90k women for 8 years Optimism is associated with a lower risk of CHD related mortality and total mortality Optimists were younger higher SES and healthier at baseline but the mortality effect still remained significant even when controlling for baseline health status Benefit Finding Finding Meaning Finding positive life change after stress Changes described in various ways post traumatic growth finding meaning and benefit finding Domains of BF 1 Strengthened relationships feel closer to family and friends greater compassion for others 2 Sense of self feel stronger better able to deal with life s challenges 3 Outlook on life greater appreciation for life reordering of goals and priorities enhanced spirituality Effects on Health Heart Attack Patients Men who reported benefits following their attack were less likely to have another one and had lower levels of mortality 8 years later Some benefits were changes to health behaviors lifestyle changes to promote enjoyment and changes in values philosophy of life BF and HIV Bower HIV individuals Men who found meaning from death of a close friend lover to AIDS had positive changes in their immune status and survival Changes included greater appreciation for loved ones perception of life as fragile and precious commitment to enjoying life enhanced personal growth understanding Wasn t mediated by health behaviors Finding meaning can predict a slower CD4 T cell decline and a lower rate of AIDs related mortality Women who endorsed more HIV positive changes had a slower T cell decline and lower rate of AIDS mortality Hispanic men who reported more HIV related growth showed less rapid immune decline BF associated with lower cortisol in HIV men BF and Cancer BF is associated with improved lymphocyte proliferation in breast cancer patients Also came with benefits including interpersonal growth sense of purpose in life Also correlated with lower cortisol Breast cancer survivors who reported positive life changes after cancer diagnosis showed lower levels of IL 6 Positive changes included stronger sense of self improved relationships greater life appreciation Enhanced Allostasis Allostasis the adaptive process that maintain homeostasis through the production of mediators such as adrenalin cortisol and other chemical messengers Allostatic load the wear and tear on the body and brain that result from chronic activation of these processes Enhanced Allostasis more efficient adaptive and circumscribed physiological responses to stress BF is associated with more rapid cortisol habituation to repeated stress Religion Spirituality and Health Religiousness involves behaviors derived from established traditions related to sacred reality that develop over time within a community Spirituality involves beliefs and experiences related to transcendent or sacred reality Dimensions Self identification as religious spiritual Private religious behaviors Public religious behaviors Religious service attendance Religious commitment Beliefs Spiritual experiences Mortality Meta analysis of 42 studies with over 125k participants showed a significant association between religious involvement and mortality 30 increased