The elements model: toward a new generation of positive psychology interventions

Positive psychology interventions (PPIs) are intentional activities for increasing hedonic or eudaimonic well-being. One of the most puzzling questions about them is why, after more than twenty years of positive psychology research, there are not more of them. To address this shortage, this paper argues for a methodological innovation in the understanding and generation of PPIs. Instead of the current common practice of conceiving of them as basic units of cognitive, emotional, or behavioral activities, analyzing PPIs into their constitutive elements makes possible the identification of the specific components essential for effecting positive changes in different contexts. It also allows for the clarification of which components work best together. This approach can lead to a deeper understanding of existing PPIs and greater facility in the creation of new ones.