Abstract
Emerging evidence points to rising levels of psychological distress resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. There is a need for self-administered, low cost, and accessible interventions that facilitate wellbeing and growth. This study used a randomised controlled trial (RCT) design to investigate the effects of a two-week positivity and hope-oriented photovoice intervention on wellbeing, posttraumatic growth, and idiosyncratic measures of positive emotions and coping, in comparison to a control group who did not receive the intervention. Participants were adults between the ages of 21 and 80 living in the UK recruited between May and August 2020, during the first UK national lockdown (n=109). Data were collected at baseline, immediately post-intervention, and at one-month follow-up. The intervention group showed significantly greater positive change on all outcome measures compared to the control group, although these changes were not sustained at one-month follow-up. Limitations and implications for supporting wellbeing during the pandemic are discussed.