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Author Spotlight: Methodologies and Advancements of Chronic Pain Management Research

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Does Happiness Improve Health? Evidence From a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Kostadin Kushlev¹, Samantha J Heintzelman², Lesley D Lutes³

¹Department of Psychology, Georgetown University.

Psychological Science

|June 25, 2020

Summary

Increasing happiness through positive psychology interventions can improve physical health. This study found that enhanced subjective well-being led to fewer sick days in adults.

Keywords:

happiness health life satisfaction open data open materials preregistered randomized controlled trial well-being

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Area of Science:

Psychology
Public Health
Behavioral Medicine

Background:

Existing research suggests a correlation between happiness and health.
However, the causal relationship where increased happiness improves health outcomes remains less understood.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the causal impact of enhancing subjective well-being on physical health.
To examine if a positive psychological intervention can lead to measurable health improvements.

Main Methods:

A 6-month randomized controlled trial involving 155 community adults.
A comprehensive 3-month positive psychological intervention was administered.
Physical health was assessed using self-reported measures, including sick days, from the CDC's Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Questionnaire.

Main Results:

The intervention group reported better physical health compared to controls.
In a subsample, increased subjective well-being predicted fewer sick days over the study period.
Evidence suggests a causal link between improved well-being and self-reported health.

Conclusions:

Positive psychological interventions can causally improve self-reported physical health.
Enhancing subjective well-being is a viable strategy for promoting better health outcomes.
Further research can explore the mechanisms underlying this mind-body connection.