Awe Reduces Depressive Symptoms and Improves Well-Being in a Randomized-Controlled Clinical Trial
Authors List
Amster, M. Touro University, Vallejo, CA, USA
Monroy, M. Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
Eagle, J. Private practice, Hawaii, USA
Zerwas, F. New York University, NY, NY USA
Keltner, D. UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
Lopez, J. UC Davis, Davis, CA, USA
Emerging evidence suggests that experiences of awe benefit health and well-being. The present investigation examined the efficacy of an awe intervention to improve the psychological health-stress, anxiety, depression, and well-being-of patients living with long COVID. The awe intervention, a Randomized-controlled Clinical Trial, was delivered in synchronous online sessions to patients, across the United States (in April 2023), who met the criteria for long COVID. Results revealed significant improvements in psychological health for those in the awe intervention (N = 30), compared to the control group (N = 38): including decreased stress, decreased depression symptoms, and increased well-being. There were no significant differences between groups in anxiety symptoms. Effect sizes ranged from medium to large (d = 0.78-0.96), demonstrating the robustness of these findings. This work is the first to document that awe can have salutary effects on psychological health, such as reducing symptoms of depression and chronic pain. These findings suggest that a brief awe intervention can improve psychological health in people dealing with chronic stress and physical ailments, as in the case of long COVID.
References
Monroy, M., Amster, M., Eagle, J., Zerwas, F. K., Keltner, D., & López, J. E. (2025). Awe reduces depressive symptoms and improves well-being in a randomized-controlled clinical trial. Scientific reports, 15(1), 16453. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-96555-w
Monroy, M., Uğurlu, Ö., Zerwas, F., Corona, R., Keltner, D., Eagle, J., & Amster, M. (2023). The influences of daily experiences of awe on stress, somatic health, and well-being: a longitudinal study during COVID-19. Scientific reports, 13(1), 9336. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-35200-w
Amster, M. Touro University, Vallejo, CA, USA
Monroy, M. Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
Eagle, J. Private practice, Hawaii, USA
Zerwas, F. New York University, NY, NY USA
Keltner, D. UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
Lopez, J. UC Davis, Davis, CA, USA
Emerging evidence suggests that experiences of awe benefit health and well-being. The present investigation examined the efficacy of an awe intervention to improve the psychological health-stress, anxiety, depression, and well-being-of patients living with long COVID. The awe intervention, a Randomized-controlled Clinical Trial, was delivered in synchronous online sessions to patients, across the United States (in April 2023), who met the criteria for long COVID. Results revealed significant improvements in psychological health for those in the awe intervention (N = 30), compared to the control group (N = 38): including decreased stress, decreased depression symptoms, and increased well-being. There were no significant differences between groups in anxiety symptoms. Effect sizes ranged from medium to large (d = 0.78-0.96), demonstrating the robustness of these findings. This work is the first to document that awe can have salutary effects on psychological health, such as reducing symptoms of depression and chronic pain. These findings suggest that a brief awe intervention can improve psychological health in people dealing with chronic stress and physical ailments, as in the case of long COVID.
References
Monroy, M., Amster, M., Eagle, J., Zerwas, F. K., Keltner, D., & López, J. E. (2025). Awe reduces depressive symptoms and improves well-being in a randomized-controlled clinical trial. Scientific reports, 15(1), 16453. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-96555-w
Monroy, M., Uğurlu, Ö., Zerwas, F., Corona, R., Keltner, D., Eagle, J., & Amster, M. (2023). The influences of daily experiences of awe on stress, somatic health, and well-being: a longitudinal study during COVID-19. Scientific reports, 13(1), 9336. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-35200-w
