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Positive Affect Stimulation and Sustainment (PASS) Module for Depressed Mood: A Preliminary Investigation of Treatment-Related Effects

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Abstract

Positive affective functioning (PAF) is critical to the development, course and treatment of depressive symptoms. Targeting key features of PAF during treatment may provide a new angle through which to improve affective functioning and reduce symptoms. The current study was a treatment development trial for the Positive Affect Stimulation and Sustainment (PASS) Module. PASS is conceptualized as a means of capitalizing on positive events (e.g., planned through behavioral activation) by enhancing and sustaining positive affective states through savoring, and establishing positive attributions and expectancies. Participants were 27 female college students with dysphoric symptoms. There was a moderate effect of PASS on depressive symptoms. There was also a significant within session increase in positive affect from pre to post session among the PASS group, relative to active control; and a significant decrease in positive affect from pre (baseline) to post (follow-up) treatment among the control group, relative to PASS. Results provide preliminary evidence for the efficacy of the treatment module among young adults with depressed mood, and lay the foundation for future research.

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Notes

  1. Supplementary information including analyses using these scales is provided at: www.danamcmakin.com.

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  1. Dana L. McMakin

    Present address: University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 3811 Ohara Street, Loeffler Building Office 322, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of Denver, Denver, CO, USA

    Dana L. McMakin & Stephen R. Shirk

  2. University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

    Greg J. Siegle

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  1. Dana L. McMakin
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  2. Greg J. Siegle
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Correspondence to Dana L. McMakin.

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McMakin, D.L., Siegle, G.J. & Shirk, S.R. Positive Affect Stimulation and Sustainment (PASS) Module for Depressed Mood: A Preliminary Investigation of Treatment-Related Effects. Cogn Ther Res 35, 217–226 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10608-010-9311-5

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