A research study at UBC Okanagan is looking to help people increase their happiness in life.
The well-being study is supervised by Lesley Lutes, the director of Clinical Training, and social psychologist Derrick Wirtz. The study aims to teach participants how to enhance resiliency to life’s challenges, live a meaningful and fulfilling life, improve health and relationships, and become more mindful.
“Traditionally in the field of clinical psychology, we have focused on developing treatments to reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety,” says Lutes. “However, we have spent little time focusing on how to increase things such as well-being and happiness.”
Lutes and Wirtz are currently looking for members of the community to participate in the study, which launches this month.
Study participants can expect to gain tangible, research-based skills to help navigate the daily challenges of life with a new approach and set of skills that can make a difference both emotionally and physically.
“The mission of this new clinical trial is essentially to bring together everything we know about how to increase well-being and happiness from the field of social psychology research and test it in one comprehensive trial to develop an evidence-based treatment for well-being and happiness using cognitive behavioural therapy,” says Lutes.
The happiness and well-being study includes a nine-month randomized clinical trial. Participants will receive some compensation for their time during assessments, at mid-point, and at the end of the study.
To find out more about the happiness and well-being study, contact the research team at 250-807-8746 or email ENHANCEwellbeing01@gmail.com.
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