Even the Downhearted may be Uplifted: Moral Elevation in the Daily Life of Clinically Depressed and Anxious Adults

Abstract

observing acts of virtue (e.g., generosity, courage) triggers moral elevation, an emotion characterized by a sense of feeling morally uplifted and inspired. elevation triggers prosocial motivation and positive emotion, and may therefore bear relevance for disorders characterized by self-focus, interpersonal dysfunction, and distress (e.g., depression and anxiety disorders). the present study tested the interpersonal and emotional effects of elevation for ten days in clinically depressed and anxious individuals (N = 47). Multilevel models showed that on days that individuals experienced high elevation relative to their own average levels, they endorsed higher compassionate goals (striving to help others) and closeness to others, as well as lower interpersonal conflict and distress symptoms. In timelagged analyses, elevation predicted residual increases in compassionate goals toward others on subsequent days and a six-week posttest. Moreover, most effects were not attributable to gender, dysphoric mood, or feeling competent. thus, moral elevation may uniquely contribute to social and emotional functioning, even in clinically distressed individuals.

Compassionate and self‐image goals as interpersonal maintenance factors in clinical depression and anxiety

“…Chart review showed that between the time of the baseline and 6‐week follow‐up assessments, participants received psychotherapy (20; 12 cognitive behavioral therapy, 4 interpersonal therapy, 3 supportive therapy, and 1 dialectical behavior therapy), new medications (22), continuation on existing mediations (16) or therapy (4), supportive follow‐up consultation (3), and electroconvulsive treatment (1). Other analyses testing questions separate from our aims were published elsewhere (Erickson & Abelson, ; Erickson et al., ).…”

Beyond Dominance and Competence: A Moral Virtue Theory of Status Attainment

“…Admiration for virtue, furthermore, affects a variety of important outcomes, such as moral judgment and organizational citizenship behavior (OCB), that are unlikely to be affected by respect for skills (Cox, 2010; Erickson & Abelson, 2012; Schnall, Roper, & Fessler, 2010; Strohminger, Lewis, & Meyer, 2011; Thomson & Siegel, 2013; Vianello, Galliani, & Haidt, 2010). First, admiration for virtue affects moral judgment involving moral dilemmas.…”

The Role of Moral Emotions in Military Trauma: Implications for the Study and Treatment of Moral Injury

“…Several studies have documented the positive effect of elevation in promoting volunteerism (Cox, 2010), moral empowerment (Schnall & Roper, 2012), and altruistic behaviors (Algoe & Haidt, 2009;Schnall et al, 2008), although to our knowledge there are no studies examining elevation in military populations. However, a study of elevation with a clinical sample of anxious and depressed nonveterans found that periods of high elevation were associated with lower depressed mood, anxiety, and hostility (Erickson & Abelson, 2012). Extrapolating from these findings, one potential way that elevation may assist in moral repair is by challenging disillusionment regarding the goodness of others as well as encouraging altruistic behaviors that provide opportunities for positive attributions about the self.…”