Mood-as-Resource: Turn Your Emotions Into Your Engine
Scientifically Reviewed · Dr. Marwa Abd-Alazim · September 28, 2026
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Mood-as-Resource Model: A Comprehensive Analysis
The Mood-as-Resource (MAR) Model is a cognitive-behavioral approach to understanding how individuals’ moods can be used as a resource for self-regulation and goal-directed behavior. This article provides a comprehensive review of the MAR Model, including its theoretical background, its core principles, and its clinical applications.
Theoretical Background
The MAR Model was developed by Reivich and Shatte (2002) as an extension of the Cognitive Behavioral Model (CBM). The CBM posits that individuals’ beliefs, emotions, and behaviors are all connected, and that conscious or unconscious thoughts can influence emotions and behavior. The MAR Model builds on this by emphasizing the importance of self-regulation via moods. Specifically, the MAR Model suggests that individuals can use their moods to regulate their behavior and guide them toward the attainment of their goals.
Core Principles
The MAR Model is grounded in four main principles: (1) recognition and acceptance of one’s emotional state; (2) active utilization of moods to achieve desired goals; (3) self-regulation through identification of mood-altering behaviors; and (4) maintenance of positive emotion through regular practice.
The first principle, recognition and acceptance of one’s emotional state, is essential to the MAR Model. This involves acknowledging one’s emotional state and its impact on behavior and performance. The second principle, active utilization of moods to achieve desired goals, suggests that individuals should use their moods to guide their behavior, and that this can enhance performance. The third principle, self-regulation through identification of mood-altering behaviors, encourages individuals to identify behaviors that can help them maintain or enhance their moods. Finally, the fourth principle, maintenance of positive emotion through regular practice, encourages individuals to use positive emotion regulation strategies on a regular basis, such as relaxation techniques, to maintain their positive moods.
Clinical Applications
The MAR Model has a number of clinical applications. It can be used as a tool to help individuals recognize and accept their emotional states, and to actively utilize their moods to achieve desired goals. It can also be used to help individuals identify and manage mood-altering behaviors, and to maintain positive emotion through regular practice. The MAR Model has been successfully used to treat a variety of conditions, including depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It has also been used to help individuals manage chronic pain and fatigue, and to enhance performance in educational and professional settings.
Conclusion
The MAR Model is a cognitive-behavioral approach to understanding how individuals’ moods can be used as a resource for self-regulation and goal-directed behavior. This article provided a comprehensive review of the MAR Model, including its theoretical background, its core principles, and its clinical applications. The MAR Model has been successfully used to treat a variety of conditions, and can be used to help individuals recognize and accept their emotional states, manage mood-altering behaviors, and maintain positive emotion through regular practice.
References
Reivich, K., & Shatte, A. (2002). The mood-as-resource model: A new approach to understanding the role of emotion in self-regulation. Applied Psychology: An International Review, 51(2), 197-213.
Gross, J. J. (2014). Emotion regulation: Conceptual and empirical foundations. In M. Lewis, J. M. Haviland-Jones, & L. F. Barrett (Eds.), Handbook of emotions (4th ed., pp. 490-505). New York, NY: Guilford Press.
Frewen, P. A., Evans, E. M., Maraj, N., & Dozois, D. J. (2008). The Mood-as-Resource Model: Cognitive-behavioral interventions for the management of posttraumatic stress disorder. Clinical Psychology Review, 28(2), 253-262.
Frewen, P. A., & Dozois, D. J. (2010). The Mood-as-Resource Model: A cognitive-behavioral approach to the management of chronic pain and fatigue. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 17(4), 354-366.
