Psychosocial Benefits of Gratitude Journals

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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This randomized controlled study will examine the effects of different interpersonal gratitude journals compared to a neutral control journal on psycho social outcomes.

Detailed Description
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This randomized controlled study will examine the effect of a) a reflective interpersonal gratitude journal, and b) an reflective and behavioral interpersonal gratitude journal, versus (c) an active control journal, on life satisfaction and other secondary outcomes. Explanatory mechanisms will be tested utilizing the broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of these three conditions with three week, one month and three month follow-up assessments.

Official Title
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Psychosocial Benefits of Gratitude Journals: A Randomized Controlled Intervention Trial

Conditions
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Happiness

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Reflective Interpersonal Gratitude
* Behavioral: Reflective-Behavioral Gratitude
* Behavioral: Neutral Control Journal


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: English language proficiency Exclusion Criteria: under the age of 18

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Triple


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Reflective Interpersonal Gratitude<br>An interpersonal gratitude journal, designed to foster gratitude for one's existing social relationships, by writing and reflecting on people and positive daily encounters for which one is grateful. | Behavioral: Reflective Interpersonal Gratitude<br>* Participants were given the following instructions in their journal: Writing is a great way to reflect on your daily events, helping to look back and focus on the good things in our lives. There are many things in our lives, big and small, which we might be grateful for. For the next three weeks, 3 times a week (9 days in total), reflect back on your day and think of the people you met and interacted with and are grateful for. Please write down in the space provided a number of positive social interactions over the day or friendships/relationships you are grateful for…..<br>|
| Experimental: Reflective-Behavioral Gratitude<br>An interpersonal gratitude journal, designed to foster gratitude for one's existing social relationships, by writing and reflecting on people and positive daily encounters for which one is grateful. In addition participants are asked to choose a friend express this gratitude to them at the end of each week. | Behavioral: Reflective-Behavioral Gratitude<br>* Participants were given the following identical instructions as the reflective journal in addition to this At the end of each week, express this gratitude to a friend of your choice face-to-face or through e-mail, facebook, a kind note, tell him/her how much you appreciate something specific that he/she does and reflect on how your friend's reaction and how you feel.<br>|
| Active Comparator: Neutral Control Journal<br>Write about and reflect on things that occurred over the course of the day. | Behavioral: Neutral Control Journal<br>* Writing is a great way to reflect on your daily events, helping to look back and reflect on our lives. For the next three weeks, 3 times a week (9 days in total), please write in the spaces provided things that happened during the day.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Changes in Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS). Diener, E. D., Emmons, R. A., Larsen, R. J., & Griffin, S. (1985). | Used to assess changes in life satisfaction levels over the course of the intervention and follow-ups. | Baseline, immediate post-intervention at three weeks,1 month, 3 months | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| National Institute of Health Social Relationships Companionship Scale which assess Friendship Quality and Loneliness. Cyranowski, J. M., Zill, N., Bode, R., Butt, Z., Kelly, M. A., Pilkonis, P. A., & Cella, D. (2013). | Used to assess changes in social relationships over the course of the intervention and follow-ups. | Baseline, immediate post-intervention at three weeks,1 month, 3 months | 
| The Gratitude Questionnaire-Six Item Form (GQ-6) McCullough, M. E., Emmons, R. A., & Tsang, J. (2002). | Used to assess changes in gratitude levels over the course of the intervention and follow-ups. | Baseline, immediate post-intervention at three weeks,1 month, 3 months | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Gratitude Intervention, positive emotion, friendships, positive psychology, life satisfaction