Table 1.

PP exercises used in the proof-of-concept intervention trial

Recalling positive events/counting blessings (Seligman et al. 2005) (Week 1, in hospital). Participants recalled three events, small or large, in the preceding week that were associated with satisfaction, happiness, pride, or other positive states

Using personal strengths (Seligman et al. 2005) (Week 2, this and subsequent exercises assigned at phone sessions). Participants assessed their personal strengths from a strength inventory and then selected one to use in a new way during the next week

Gratitude letter (Seligman et al. 2005) (Week 3). Participants wrote a letter of gratitude thanking a person for an act of kindness. The participant could, at their discretion, share the letter

Enjoyable and meaningful activities (Krumholz et al. 2005; Barth et al. 2004) (Week 4). Participants completed a series of three self-selected activities: an enjoyable activity completed alone, an enjoyable activity completed with others, and an activity that was deeply meaningful and built towards long-term goals

Recalling and leveraging past success (Seligman et al. 2005) (Week 5). Participants recalled a prior event in which they experienced success. Next, they wrote about the event, their contribution to the success, and the positive feelings evoked by recalling it

Acts of kindness (Lyubomirsky and Layous 2013) (Week 6). Participants completed three acts of kindness in 1 day. The acts could be small or large, planned or spontaneous, but they were to be completed solely to be kind to another person

Participant's choice (Weeks 7 and 8). Participants selected exercise(s) from prior weeks they wished to repeat. The interventionist and participant discussed the prior exercises, selected one, and discussed any necessary alterations to the focus or content of the exercise