Document Type
Journal article
Source Publication
The Journal of Positive Psychology
Publication Date
2016
Volume
11
Issue
2
First Page
163
Last Page
172
Keywords
positive self-statement, mood, self-discrepancy, modes of delivery
Abstract
Self-help materials inculcating individuals with positive self-statements are popular in recent years, although the effectiveness of such self-statements on improving individuals’ psychological well-being has not yet been confirmed. Using a control-group pre-test/post-test design, we examined how positive self-statements may or may not benefit individuals’ mood. Individual characteristics and modes of delivery were found to moderate mood changes resulting from positive self-statements. Specifically, we found that participants experienced negative mood change after reading positive self-statements, if they have low level of need satisfaction. However, we also found that participants experienced a mood boost after listening to positive self-statements, and this effect was unrelated to self-esteem or need satisfaction. These findings suggest that self-help materials with a focus on positive self-statements should be used with caution.
DOI
10.1080/17439760.2015.1037862
Print ISSN
17439760
E-ISSN
17439779
Publisher Statement
Copyright © 2015 Taylor & Francis.
Access to external full text or publisher's version may require subscription.
Full-text Version
Accepted Author Manuscript
Language
English
Recommended Citation
Yeung, J. C., & Lun, V. M.-C. (2016). When self-help materials help: Examining the effects of self-discrepancy and modes of delivery of positive self-statements. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 11(2), 163-172. doi: 10.1080/17439760.2015.1037862