Psychosocial Benefits of Gratitude Journals

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Happiness
• Interventions: Behavioral: Neutral Control Journal; Behavioral: Reflective-Behavioral Gratitude; Behavioral: Reflective Interpersonal Gratitude

• Registration Number: NCT02570685
• Lead Sponsor: University of Limerick

Brief Summary

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

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.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2015-10
• Study First Submitted: 2015-10-06
• Study First Submitted QC: 2015-10-06
• Study First Posted: 2015-10-07
• Status Verified: 2016-03
• Primary Completion: 2016-03
• Study Completion: 2016-03
• Last Update Submitted: 2016-03-01
• Last Update Posted: 2016-03-02

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 192

Inclusion Criteria

• English language proficiency

Exclusion Criteria

• under the age of 18

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Neutral Control Journal	Neutral Control Journal	Write about and reflect on things that occurred over the course of the day.
Reflective-Behavioral Gratitude	Reflective-Behavioral Gratitude	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.
Reflective Interpersonal Gratitude	Reflective Interpersonal Gratitude	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.

Primary Outcome Measures

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

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
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).	Baseline, immediate post-intervention at three weeks,1 month, 3 months	Used to assess changes in social relationships over the course of the intervention and follow-ups.
The Gratitude Questionnaire-Six Item Form (GQ-6) McCullough, M. E., Emmons, R. A., & Tsang, J. (2002).	Baseline, immediate post-intervention at three weeks,1 month, 3 months	Used to assess changes in gratitude levels over the course of the intervention and follow-ups.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University of Limerick; 🇮🇪 Limerick, Munster, Ireland