Positive emotion infusions of elevation and gratitude: Increasing help-seeking intentions among people with heightened levels of depressive symptomatology

Three online studies assessed a new approach for increasing help seeking among people with depressive symptomatology (i.e. a positive emotion infusion, PEI). A PEI refers to the induction of positive emotion such that people's mindsets - including perceptions of help-seeking - are temporarily altered. Study 1 (n=382) indicated that help-seeking intentions are negatively correlated with depressive symptomatology and positively correlated with elevation and gratitude. Studies 2 and 3 implemented fully randomized experimental designs. In Study 2, two elevation-based (Study 2a, n=285) and two gratitude-based (Study 2b, n=338) emotion inductions increased levels of elevation and gratitude, respectively. Results of Study 3a (n=390) indicate a causal relationship between experiencing the story-based elevation induction and increased help-seeking intentions. The two gratitude-based PEIs (Study 3b, n=466) were unsuccessful at influencing help-seeking; auxiliary analyses indicate the possibility ofiatrogenic effects. Overall, the potential of PEIs was indicated, as was need for caution.