Awe and Psychological Health

Awe and Psychological Health

Overview

  • The study focuses on how experiences of awe can improve psychological health, particularly for patients with long COVID.

  • Conducted by María Monroy et al. in April 2023, featuring a randomized-controlled clinical trial (RCT) with participants across the United States.

Key Findings

  • Significant improvements in psychological health among the awe intervention group (N=30) compared to the control group (N=38):

    • Decreased stress

    • Decreased depressive symptoms

    • Increased well-being

  • No significant differences were noted in anxiety symptoms between the groups.

  • Effect sizes were between medium to large, specifically $d=0.78–0.96$.

Background

Psychological Health During COVID-19

  • The COVID-19 pandemic has raised anxiety and depression prevalence globally by 25%.

  • Individuals with long COVID often experience persistent anxiety, depression, and stress, lasting beyond 12 weeks.

  • This highlights a critical need for effective interventions targeting psychological health in this population.

Importance of Awe

  • Awe is defined as: "an emotion elicited by stimuli that are vast, or beyond one's current perceptual frame of reference."

  • Examples of awe can include natural wonders, acts of kindness, and profound artistic expressions.

  • Positive effects of awe include:

    • Lower reports of stress.

    • Reductions in physiological reactions to stress.

    • Associations with increased well-being, particularly noted during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Study Design

Hypotheses

  • The study hypothesized that the awe intervention would lead to:

    1. Decreased stress

    2. Decreased anxiety

    3. Decreased depressive symptoms

    4. Increased well-being

Participants

  • Total of 68 community members recruited, average age $M=54.09$ (SD=13.32); demographics:

    • 82.4% female, 14.7% male, 1.5% other/NA.

  • Inclusion criteria based on CDC long COVID standards with documented positive COVID test.

Procedures

  • Participants were randomly assigned to either the awe intervention or the waitlist control group.

  • The awe intervention was delivered through four weekly 60-minute online sessions focusing on recognizing and amplifying feelings of awe in daily life.

  • Surveys measuring psychological health were distributed pre-intervention and one month post-intervention.

Awe Intervention Details

Three-Step Process to Access Awe

  1. Attention: Full focus on appreciated or amazing things.

  2. Wait: Slow down and pause.

  3. Exhale + Expand: Amplify the sensations experienced.

  • Participants were encouraged to practice finding awe three times a day, often in less than 30 seconds.

Measurement Tools

  • Various measures were used to assess participants' psychological health:

    • Awe: A single item scale from 1 (not at all) to 7 (extremely).

    • Positive Emotions: Nine positive emotions rated on the same scale, combined into a composite score (α2=0.83).

    • Stress: Measured using four items from the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) (α1=0.84, α2=0.76).

    • Anxiety: Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) scale (α1=0.92, α2=0.91).

    • Depression: Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) Short Form (α1,2=0.83).

    • Well-being: Measured with the Mental Health Continuum Short Form (MHC-SF) (α1,2=0.92).

Statistical Analysis

  • Conducted using RStudio, focusing on pre- and post-intervention measures.

  • Primary analyses included comparing group effectiveness in achieving psychological health outcomes.

Results

Primary Outcomes

  1. Awe Experience: Intervention group reported significantly higher awe levels (M=4.60) than the control group (M=2.89).

  2. Stress Reduction: Awe group saw a $12 ext{%}$ decrease in stress while the control group experienced a $2 ext{%}$ increase.

  3. Depression Reduction: $17 ext{%}$ decrease in depression symptoms in the awe group versus a $2 ext{%}$ increase in the control group.

  4. Increased Well-being: Awe group reported a $16 ext{%}$ increase in well-being compared to an $8 ext{%}$ decrease in the control group.

Discussion

  • The study provides the first RCT evidence linking awe interventions to enhancements in psychological health among long COVID patients.

  • Notable improvements in stress reduction, depressive symptoms, and overall well-being emerged from the awe intervention.

  • Findings underscore the potential of awe to facilitate mental health recovery, especially in chronic health conditions.

Limitations and Future Work

  • Despite the significant results, the study's sample size remains relatively small. Future research should aim to recruit larger groups.

  • Should explore outcomes immediately post-intervention to reduce attrition rates.

  • Replication with active-control groups is advised to further validate findings and minimize biases.

Conclusion

  • The study highlights awe as a powerful emotion that can foster psychological resilience and improve mental health among individuals suffering from long COVID. The efficacy of brief awe interventions presents a promising avenue for therapeutic applications in clinical contexts.

Acknowledgements

  • Authors express gratitude to participants and research assistants involved in the study.