Exploring the Impact of a Targeted Positive Psychological Intervention on Healthcare Workers' Subjective Happiness

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to generate new knowledge to improve healthcare worker (HCW) happiness. BACKGROUND Already trending upward, HCW burnout spiked during the pandemic reaching rates of 49% to 69%. METHODS This unblinded randomized controlled trial studied a positive psychological intervention's (PPI) impact on subjective happiness among 183 HCWs in a 644-bed community healthcare organization. The intervention had 2 phases: 1) reading The Happiness Advantage by Shawn Achor; and 2) participating in a 21-day challenge to adopt evidence-based happiness-boosting practices. RESULTS A statistically significant increase in subjective happiness was found in the intervention group compared with the control group over the 6-month follow-up period. Within the intervention group, subjective happiness was sustained by 70% at the 18-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS Offering the PPI may increase HCWs' subjective happiness. The study design should be strengthened and replicated.