Qualitative Analysis of the Content and Quality of Best Possible Self Narratives: Identifying Factors that Contribute to its Efficacy in Increasing State Optimism and Positive Affect

This study explored how Best Possible Self (BPS) and control (Typical Day: TD) narratives qualitatively differ from each other and whether the content and quality of the BPS narratives predict BPS effectiveness in increasing state optimism and positive affect. In total, 111 BPS and 108 TD narratives from prior studies were digitalized. First, linguistic analysis examined differences in word use. Second, BPS narratives were rated and compared, regarding their content (i.e., number of goals/wishes within 10 domains: family, love life, career, education, leisure, social life, social involvement, personal growth, physical health and materialism) and quality (i.e., effort, concreteness, and creativity). Results demonstrated that BPS narratives differ from TD narratives, with BPS narratives containing more future orientated words, positive words, the pronoun we, and words that relate to money, family life, and professional life. Furthermore, regarding the content and quality, results indicated that although various predictors of BPS efficacy were examined, only BPS narratives with more words indicative of daily activities, usage of the pronoun we and description of more materialistic goals predicted the effectiveness of the BPSexercise. This may suggest that the manner in which something is written (i.e., positive), might be more important than the actual content itself. This research highlights narrative features and offers insights to enhance the efficacy of BPS manipulation, benefiting researchers utilizing the BPS framework and may contribute to the broader advancement of positive psychological interventions.