Using Social Network Sites to Boost Savoring: Positive Effects on Positive Emotions

• Main Authors: Sen-Chi Yu, Kennon M. Sheldon, Wen-Ping Lan, Jia-Huei Chen
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2020-09-01
• Series: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
• Subjects: savoring; positive interventions; positive psychology; social network sites; Facebook
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/17/17/6407

Research has demonstrated that positive interventions (PIs) can be effective in enhancing well-being. Our study used Facebook to conduct a PI based on savoring. Sixty-one university students in Taiwan were randomly assigned to undergo a three-week savoring PI, and 61 participants were assigned to a no-treatment control group. The results showed significantly enhanced positive affect in the treatment group compared to the control group, in both a post-test and a final follow-up, but no significant differences between the two groups in negative affect. The treatment group also displayed significantly lower depression in the post-test, which was not maintained at the follow-up. These results indicate that, for university students, a savoring intervention via Facebook can be an effective way of enhancing positive emotions.