Transforming hostility: The potential of benefit-finding and compassion as positive reappraisal strategies

Using a within-subjects design, 102 participants recalled autobiographical anger-eliciting memories and completed condition-specific writing tasks (benefit-finding, compassion, control). Results from repeated-measure ANOVAs showed that both benefit-finding and compassion significantly reduced hostility across measures (directed anger, state anger, aggressive tendencies, behavioral aggression) compared to the control condition.

Benefit-finding also significantly increased PA, outperforming compassion and control conditions, while NA changes did not differ across conditions. Prevention focus did not moderate outcomes. Findings suggest that benefit-finding and compassion effectively reduce hostility, with benefit-finding uniquely enhancing PA, aligning with the Broaden-and-Build Theory.