Whether feeling grateful, having a grateful outlook on life, or engaging in a gratitude practice, research shows gratitude is key to better sleep, longevity, strengthened relationships, greater life satisfaction, and so much more.
Gratitude
How Expressing Gratitude Can Improve Psychological Wellbeing
This meta-analysis across 23 studies and over 6,500 participants examined the effect of expressed gratitude interventions on psychological wellbeing, including life satisfaction, positive affect, and happiness. Results showed that expressing gratitude to another person can significantly improve psychological wellbeing.
The Effect of Expressed Gratitude Interventions on Psychological Wellbeing: A Meta‑Analysis of Randomised Controlled Studies
The effectiveness of expressed gratitude interventions in enhancing psychological wellbeing has been explored in a number of studies. The present meta-analysis synthesized results from 25 randomized controlled trials, including a total of 6,745 participants, to examine the effect of expressed gratitude interventions on positive indicators of psychological wellbeing, including life satisfaction, positive affect, and happiness. The results showed that expressed gratitude interventions had a significant effect on psychological wellbeing relative to neutral comparison groups, Hedges’ g = 0.22, 95% CI [0.11, 0.33], p < .001. The significant effects applied to each of the three elements of positive wellbeing. Intervention length and duration from baseline to final assessment did not significantly moderate effect sizes across studies. The present findings indicate that expressed gratitude interventions have value in improving psychological wellbeing.
Kirca, A., M. Malouff, J. & Meynadier, J. (2023). The Effect of Expressed Gratitude Interventions on Psychological Wellbeing: A Meta-Analysis of Randomised Controlled Studies. International Journal of Applied Positive Psychology 8, 63–86. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41042-023-00086-6.
Count your Blessings for a Happier Life
This study explores the effect of a grateful outlook on psychological and physical wellbeing. In various studies where participants were randomly assigned experimental conditions of hassles, gratitude listing, and either neutral life events or social comparison, gratitude-outlook groups exhibited heightened wellbeing across several outcome measures relative to the comparison groups.
Counting Blessings versus Burdens: An Experimental Investigation of Gratitude and Subjective Wellbeing in Daily Life
The effect of a grateful outlook on psychological and physical well-being was examined. In Studies 1 and 2, participants were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 experimental conditions (hassles, gratitude listing, and either neutral life events or social comparison); they then kept weekly (Study 1) or daily (Study 2) records of their moods, coping behaviors, health behaviors, physical symptoms, and overall life appraisals. In a 3rd study, persons with neuromuscular disease were randomly assigned to either the gratitude condition or to a control condition. The gratitude-outlook groups exhibited heightened well-being across several, though not all, of the outcome measures across the 3 studies, relative to the comparison groups. The effect on positive affect appeared to be the most robust finding. Results suggest that a conscious focus on blessings may have emotional and interpersonal benefits. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)
Emmons, R. A., & McCullough, M. E. (2003). Counting blessings versus burdens: An experimental investigation of gratitude and subjective well-being in daily life. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 84(2), 377–389.
Do Positive Psychology Interventions Work Across Different Cultures and Demographics?
Using a sample size of 372 students, this study aimed to replicate positive psychology interventions in a different culture and demographic groups of Indian adolescents. Results found that two positive psychology interventions - gratitude visit and signature strength-based interventions - reported gains in wellbeing, life satisfaction, and happiness among Indian students.
Do All Positive Psychology Exercises Work for Everyone? Replication of Seligman et al.’s (2005) Interventions among Adolescents
Children and youth comprise nearly 39% of the Indian population and are often considered the future demographic dividend of the country. The mental health and well-being of these young people are a pressing challenge in current times. The present study aimed to replicate the widely popular positive psychology interventions of Seligman et al. (Am Psychol 60:410–421, 2005) in a different culture and demographic groups of Indian adolescents. 372 students (MAge= 12.73, SD = 0.98, age range 11–13 years, 56% male) from two schools participated in the study. Participating classrooms were randomized across 5 interventions (Three good things in life, Gratitude visit, You at your best, Using signature strengths and Using signature strengths in a new way) and 1 placebo control group (Recalling early memories). Each exercise was completed over 1 week. Self-reported measures of wellbeing, affect, happiness and depressive symptoms were obtained at pre- and post-intervention. Participants who undertook the Gratitude visit and signature strength-based interventions reported gains in well-being, life satisfaction and happiness at post-test. Interventions involving only self-reflection and journaling showed no statistically significant impact on outcome variables. None of the interventions led to perceived gains in scores of depressive symptoms.
Khanna, P., Singh, K. (2019). Do All Positive Psychology Exercises Work for Everyone? Replication of Seligman et al.’s (2005) Interventions among Adolescents. Psychol Stud 64, 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12646-019-00477-3
