University of Twente Student Theses
On the tracks of the ‘Happiness Route’: demystifying the obscure world of counselor logbooks
Annighöfer, M.L.D. (2016) On the tracks of the ‘Happiness Route’: demystifying the obscure world of counselor logbooks.
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| Abstract: | Introduction: This study explored the black box of the „Happiness Route‟, a happiness-based positive psychology intervention for people predominantly suffering from loneliness, often as consequence of a chronic disease. A higher degree of the counselors‟ adherence to the intervention protocol as well as a happiness-oriented as opposed to a problem-oriented working style was thought to have beneficial effects on people‟s well-being. Method: The investigated variables were: the participants‟ motivation, their level of trust bond to a counselor and the degree to which the participants found their passion through the intervention. All variables were assessed by the counselors. A total of N = 22 counselors attended to N = 34 participants in the Happiness Route condition, whereas N = 11 counselors attended to N = 37 participants in an active care as usual (CAU) control condition. The effect of protocol adherence and working styles respectively on all three investigated variables was examined within the Happiness Route condition. Finally, the two conditions were compared in regard of the participants‟ motivation and their level of trust bond to a counselor. Results: Univariate analyses of variance revealed a marginally significant effect of the counselors‟ protocol adherence on motivation, a significant effect on trust and no effect on passion. Next, Fisher‟s r-to-z transformation displayed a significantly higher correlation coefficient between passion and a happiness-oriented working style than between passion and a problem-oriented working style. When comparing the two conditions, after correcting for the covariate number of sessions, the positive effect of the Happiness Route on motivation remained significant, whereas the effect on trust became non-significant, suggesting no difference between the Happiness Route and the active CAU condition for latter variable. Discussion: The findings were partly in line with the established hypotheses. Possible sources of bias coming forth from measuring participant variables through counselor indications are a limitation of this study. Future research could apply a different sort of data collection, or assess the effects of specific counselor methods. In practice, the importance of protocol adherence should be emphasized, working happiness-oriented should be promoted, and a higher number of sessions should be made obligatory. In conclusion, promising effects of the Happiness Route could be demonstrated. |
| Item Type: | Essay (Master) |
| Faculty: | BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences |
| Subject: | 77 psychology |
| Programme: | Psychology MSc (66604) |
| Link to this item: | https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/69180 |
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