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Focusing on the Positive versus Reframing the Negative: The Role of Sharing Positive Experiences versus Positively Reframing Negative Experiences on Relationship and Mental Health

The overwhelming majority of research in family studies and psychology journals has been devoted to mental health dysfunctions and relationship problems. Positive relationship processes and positive emotions are victims of severe neglect. The current study examines how sharing positive experiences or positively re framing negative ones can impact mental health (gratitude and depression) as well as relationship outcomes (relationship satisfaction and relationship maintenance). The current study has three primary objectives and hypotheses, to 1) compare the effects of writing about or sharing a positive experience or re frame versus a neutral control on mental health and relationship well-being outcomes, 2) compare the effects of writing about or sharing positive experiences versus re framing or sharing re frames of negative experiences on mental health and relationship well-being outcomes; 3) compare and contrast the effect of sharing versus not sharing on mental health and relationship well-being outcomes. Participants that shared their positive experiences or positive re frames increased in gratitude relative to those who simply wrote about these topics. Possible explanations for these findings and their implications for future research are then discussed. / A Dissertation submitted to the Department of Family and Child Sciences in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of
Philosophy. / Summer Semester, 2010. / June 24, 2010. / Positive Reframing, Sharing, Gratitude / Includes bibliographical references. / Frank Fincham, Professor Directing Dissertation; Ming Cui, Committee Member.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_181627
ContributorsLambert, Nathaniel M. (Nathaniel Mark) (authoraut), Fincham, Frank (professor directing dissertation), Cui, Ming (committee member), Department of Family and Child Sciences (degree granting department), Florida State University (degree granting institution)
PublisherFlorida State University, Florida State University
Source SetsFlorida State University
LanguageEnglish, English
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeText, text
Format1 online resource, computer, application/pdf
RightsThis Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s). The copyright in theses and dissertations completed at Florida State University is held by the students who author them.

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