Gorbeña, SusanaGómez Marroquín, IgnacioGovillard Garmendia, LeilaSarrionandia Vadillo, SareMacía Guerrero, PatriciaPenas, PatriciaIraurgi Castillo, Ioseba2024-11-152024-11-152022Gorbeña, S., Gómez, I., Govillard, L., Sarrionandia, S., Macía, P., Penas, P., & Iraurgi, I. (2022). The effects of an intervention to improve mental health during the COVID-19 quarantine: comparison with a COVID control group, and a pre-COVID intervention group. Psychology and Health, 37(2), 178-193. https://doi.org/10.1080/08870446.2021.19365200887-044610.1080/08870446.2021.1936520http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14454/1911ObjectiveThe COVID-19 pandemic has constituted an unprecedented challenge to society and science and it has provided an unexpected opportunity to explore the effects of a positive intervention in times of adversity and confinement. The goal was to evaluate the effects of a theory driven group intervention to cultivate mental health and flourishing. Design: A pre post design with three groups (151 individuals) was conducted, including an experimental group that received the intervention during the pandemic, a pre-COVID intervention group, and a COVID control group. Main Outcome Measures: Based on Keyes’ concept of positive mental health, measures of subjective, psychological and social well-being were obtained, as well as an indicator of psychological distress (GHQ12). Results: Intervention groups showed an increase in well-being and the COVID control group a decrease. Change scores revealed significant differences. Overall percentage of individuals at risk of ill health in baseline was 25.2%, but after the intervention, the COVID control group reached 64.1%. Conclusions: Despite the limitations, the present findings suggest that interventions to sustain and improve mental health in times of crisis and adversity can be an effective approach.eng© 2021 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis GroupControl groupCOVID-19Positive interventionPositive mental healthQuarantinejournal article2024-11-151476-8321