The power of validation in helping people stay positive
Supporting someone's negative emotions can help foster a positive outlook


Date:
December 14, 2020
Source:
Ohio State University
Summary:
Telling a distressed friend or family member something as simple
as 'I understand why you feel that way' can go a long way toward
helping loved ones feel better, new research suggests.



FULL STORY ========================================================================== Telling a distressed friend or family member something as simple as
"I understand why you feel that way" can go a long way toward helping
loved ones feel better, new research suggests.


==========================================================================
In the study, participants described to the researchers a real-life
incident that made them angry.

When researchers didn't show support or understanding for the anger participants were describing, the story-tellers showed declines
in positive emotions. But when the researchers validated what the
participants were saying, their positive emotions were protected and
stayed the same.

Similarly, study participants reported dips in their overall mood as they recalled the anger-provoking event, and only those who were validated
reported a recovery of mood back to their starting point.

There was no significant difference found in participants' negative
emotions - - a result that speaks to the value of focusing on protecting positivity, said Jennifer Cheavens, senior author of the study and a
professor of psychology at The Ohio State University.

"We have underestimated the power of positive emotions. We spend so much
time thinking about how to remedy negative emotions, but we don't spend
much time thinking about helping people harness and nurture positive
emotions," Cheavens said.



========================================================================== "It's really important to help people with their depression, anxiety
and fear, but it's also important to help people tap into curiosity,
love, flexibility and optimism. People can feel sad and overwhelmed,
and also hopeful and curious, in the same general time frame." The study
is published online in the Journal of Positive Psychology.

In three experiments, the researchers assessed the effects of validation
and invalidation on what are known clinically as positive and negative
affect.

Positive affect refers to positive emotions and expression that
Cheavens said allow us to be curious, connected and flexible in our
thinking. Negative affect, on the other hand, refers to negative emotions
and expression ranging from disgust to fear to sadness.

A total of 307 undergraduate students participated in the experiments. The students completed questionnaires measuring positive and negative affect
at the beginning and end of the study and overall mood at several time
points during the experiments.

Researchers asked participants to think and write for five minutes
about a time when they felt intense anger, and then verbally describe
those experiences to a researcher. Based on randomized assignments,
the experimenter either validated or invalidated their angry feelings.



==========================================================================
The participants' experiences with anger covered a wide range: roommate troubles, unfaithful romantic partners, being the victim of a theft or
getting mad at their parents.

Experimenters listening to their stories used flexible scripts to respond.

Validating comments included such phrases as "Of course you'd be angry
about that" or "I hear what you're saying and I understand you feel
angry." Invalidating responses ranged from "That doesn't sound like
anger" to "Why would that make you so angry?" Results showed that all participants had a decrease in positive affect while they were thinking
and writing about being angry. However, when they started describing the situation to experimenters, the validated participants' positive affect
matched or even exceeded their baseline measures. The positive affect
scores for those who were invalidated did not recover while talking with
the experimenters.

Based on five measures of mood in two of the three studies,
participants' mood consistently darkened as they considered what made
them angry. Validated participants' moods were restored to normal,
but the invalidated students' moods generally continued to get worse.

The research team conducted the studies with plans to apply the results
in a therapy setting. But the findings are relevant for relationships
as well, Cheavens said.

"When you process negative emotions, that negative affect gets turned
on. But if someone validates you, it keeps your positive affect
buffered. Validation protects people's affect so they can stay curious
in interpersonal interactions and in therapy," she said.

"Adding validation into therapy helps people feel understood, and
when we feel understood we can receive feedback on how we also might
change. But it's not a uniquely clinical thing -- often the same ways
you make therapy better are ways you make parenting, friendships and
romantic relationships better." The study was co-authored by Ohio State psychology graduate students Cinthia Benitez (now a clinical psychologist
in Seattle) and Kristen Howard.


========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by Ohio_State_University. Original
written by Emily Caldwell. Note: Content may be edited for style and
length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Cinthia Benitez, Kristen P. Howard, Jennifer S. Cheavens. The
effect of
validation and invalidation on positive and negative affective
experiences. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 2020; 1 DOI:
10.1080/ 17439760.2020.1832243 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/12/201214123517.htm

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