Is the thought-action repertoire a viable intervention target in substance use populations?

Objective: This study examined if general population findings of positive correlations between happiness and breadth of thought-action repertoire (TAR) hold in substance use populations, and tests if the TAR is a modifiable intervention target.

Methods: Using data from a randomized online survey on 468 adults in recovery from problematic substance use, we compared 5 happiness exercises to two control exercises on participants' post-exercise TAR, as measured by Frederickson's Modified Open-Ended Twenty Statements Test (MOETST) and coded specifically for action tendencies.

Results: A negative binomial regression model indicated that momentary happiness reported before exercise completion was significantly and positively related to the breadth of action tendency repertoires (exp(b) = 1.05, exp(95% CI) [1.01, 1.09], p = 0.012). Two of five happiness exercises were associated with higher action tendency scores compared to the "Three Hard Things" control condition ("Savoring": exp(b) [95% CI]: 1.51 [1.10, 2.09], X²(df = 1) = 6.36, adj. p = 0.038; "Rose, Thorn, Bud": 1.50 [1.09, 2.06], X²(df = 1) = 6.19, adj. p = 0.038). None were significantly different from a neutral control. Effects were not significant for MOETST raw scores.

Conclusions: Results indicate that momentary happiness is associated with broadened action tendencies among individuals in recovery. Brief, self-administered happiness exercises can successfully broaden this aspect of the thought-action repertoire in this population.