title: Positive Affect Stimulation and Sustainment (PASS) Module for Depressed Mood: A preliminary investigation of treatment-related effects.
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.
authors.affiliation: University of Denver, Department of Psychology. Denver, CO. Dana L. McMakin is currently completing postdoctoral research at the University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine. Present Address: Western Psychiatric Institute, 3811 Ohara Street, Loeffler Building Office 322, Pittsburgh PA 15213.  mcmakind@upmc.edu.
authors.forename: Dana L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: McMakin
authors.forename: Greg J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Siegle
authors.forename: Stephen R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Shirk