A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Brief Intervention Targeting Positive Valence Systems Function to Prevent Internalizing Symptoms and Perceived Stress in College Students

We tested a brief intervention focused on positive emotions. Ninety-two college students were randomized to the intervention or control group. Positive affect increased in the session for the intervention group. Social anxiety symptoms decreased across one month in the intervention group, and the intervention buffered against increases in perceived stress.