New research highlights the power of validating the feelings of distressed friends or family members.
When it's easy to understand that validation matters, now it's scientifically proven that it affects our well-being a lot.
Let's find out more.
A study on impact of validation
The study, led by Jennifer Cheavens, a psychology professor at The Ohio State University, found that when participants described anger-provoking incidents and were met with support and understanding, their positive emotions were preserved and their overall mood improved.
In contrast, when researchers didn't show empathy, participants experienced declines in positive emotions and mood.
The study's focus on protecting positive emotions highlights their significance.
Cheavens notes that while addressing negative emotions like depression and anxiety is crucial, nurturing and harnessing positive emotions such as curiosity, love, flexibility, and optimism is equally important.
The research involved 307 undergraduate students who recalled and discussed instances of intense anger.
The experimenters either validated or invalidated their feelings based on randomized assignments.
Validated participants experienced a restoration of positive affect and mood during interactions, while those invalidated didn't recover positive affect during the discussions.
Processing the results
The researcher emphasizes that the findings can apply not only to therapy but also to various relationships.
Validation, she notes, helps people feel understood and protected, allowing for healthier interactions and emotional processing.
The research underscores the value of positive emotions and the impact of validation on personal well-being and relationships.
