4 - (SYM 97) A Randomized Controlled Trial of Brief Behavioral Activation Plus Savoring for Positive Affect in University Students

Abstract Body

Objective: Rising rates of mental illnesses on university campuses highlight the need for intervention. Interventions targeting disturbances in positive affect in particular remain sparse, though such deficits interfere substantially and further maintain other symptoms. In response, the present study evaluated the impact of a virtual, two-session Behavioral Activation augmented with Savoring (BA+S) intervention compared to an Emotional Awareness (EA) control targeting increasing positive affect. 

Method: Sixty university students screened for low positive affect were randomized to BA+S or EA. Both groups completed 21 days of experience-sampling of positive affect. Additionally, measures of positive and negative valence symptoms were assessed four times (at baseline, sessions one and two, and at one-week follow-up).

Results: Daily positive affect significantly improved in BA+S, not for those receiving EA, though the interaction of condition and time was not significant. Interactions for weekly variables were significant. Increases in positive valence symptoms (affect, anhedonia, etc.) were reported for students receiving BA+S but not EA. Negative valence symptoms (affect, depression, general distress) improved in both conditions but with greater improvements in BA+S compared to EA.

Discussion: BA+S shows promise as an accessible intervention for university students experiencing clinically-low levels of positive and high levels of negative affect.