The Effects of a Digital Daily Valuing Intervention on Participant Chosen Valued Behaviors and Relationships between Meaningful Living, Psychological Flexibility, and Mental Health
Academic Level at Time of Presentation
Graduate
Major
General Experimental Psychology
2nd Student Academic Level at Time of Presentation
Senior
2nd Student Major
Psychology
3rd Student Academic Level at Time of Presentation
Graduate
3rd Student Major
Developmental Trauma
4th Student Academic Level at Time of Presentation
Faculty/Staff
List all Project Mentors & Advisor(s)
Michael Bordieri
Presentation Format
Oral Presentation
Abstract/Description
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a third wave behavioral therapy centered on psychological flexibility, the ability to respond to shifting contexts in service of personally held values. Within ACT, values are “freely chosen, verbally constructed consequences of ongoing, dynamic, evolving patterns of activity.” Constructing values can help individuals implement expanding patterns of meaningful behaviors and improve wellbeing. Yet, identification with hypothetical values in research do not steadily predict large increases in researcher-generated target behaviors. Researcher-decided behaviors may not hold the same evocative effect and connection to values for every participant. They may induce participants to respond by setting forth contingencies based on following rules. Our study allows participants to construct values and associated actions to ensure values are sufficiently appetitive and actions are functionally related to valuing.. Participants listened to an audio recording guiding them in understanding valuing and areas they may value, then set individualized valued behaviors. Additionally, surveys assessed psychological flexibility, psychological symptoms, and valued living. Participants are currently completing 15 days of text-based surveys assessing engagement in chosen behaviors. Texts alternate between including an audio mini-intervention and not. Using preliminary results, we will examine relationships between psychological flexibility, meaningful living, and depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms. We will also discuss the frequency of behavioral engagement in valued activities on days the mini-intervention was implemented versus days it was not. Results could inform research approaches, adjuncts to clinical treatment, and technologically-based interventions.
Spring Scholars Week 2021 Event
Psychology: Projects In-Progress
The Effects of a Digital Daily Valuing Intervention on Participant Chosen Valued Behaviors and Relationships between Meaningful Living, Psychological Flexibility, and Mental Health
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a third wave behavioral therapy centered on psychological flexibility, the ability to respond to shifting contexts in service of personally held values. Within ACT, values are “freely chosen, verbally constructed consequences of ongoing, dynamic, evolving patterns of activity.” Constructing values can help individuals implement expanding patterns of meaningful behaviors and improve wellbeing. Yet, identification with hypothetical values in research do not steadily predict large increases in researcher-generated target behaviors. Researcher-decided behaviors may not hold the same evocative effect and connection to values for every participant. They may induce participants to respond by setting forth contingencies based on following rules. Our study allows participants to construct values and associated actions to ensure values are sufficiently appetitive and actions are functionally related to valuing.. Participants listened to an audio recording guiding them in understanding valuing and areas they may value, then set individualized valued behaviors. Additionally, surveys assessed psychological flexibility, psychological symptoms, and valued living. Participants are currently completing 15 days of text-based surveys assessing engagement in chosen behaviors. Texts alternate between including an audio mini-intervention and not. Using preliminary results, we will examine relationships between psychological flexibility, meaningful living, and depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms. We will also discuss the frequency of behavioral engagement in valued activities on days the mini-intervention was implemented versus days it was not. Results could inform research approaches, adjuncts to clinical treatment, and technologically-based interventions.