Feeling Thanks and Saying Thanks: A Randomized Controlled Trial Examining If and How Socially Oriented Gratitude Journals Work

2017/03/06 by Brenda H. O'Connell, Brenda H. O’Connell, Deirdre O'Shea +2 · 80 citations
Medicine · Psychology · #Affect (linguistics) #Balance (ability) #Clinical psychology #Communication #Cultural Differences and Values #Feeling #Gratitude #Interpersonal communication #Interpersonal relationship #Medicine #Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions #Psychiatry #Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction #Psychological intervention #Psychology #Randomized controlled trial #Social psychology

paper · doi:10.1002/jclp.22469

published in Journal of Clinical Psychology 73(10), 1280-1300 (Wiley)

openalex publication_date 2017/03/06 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/27

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the effect of a reflective interpersonal gratitude journal, a reflective-behavioral interpersonal gratitude journal and an active control journal, on primary qualities of well-being and depression. METHOD: Participants (n = 192; 67.2% female) completed this 3-month longitudinal randomized controlled design. RESULTS: Participants in the reflective-behavioral condition experienced the greatest improvements in affect balance and reductions in depression at immediate posttest. Both gratitude interventions improved affect balance at 1 month, compared to the control. Changes in affect balance for those in the reflective-behavioral condition were mediated by the rate at which people expressed gratitude in their existing relationships. This effect was moderated by participant's baseline depressive status. CONCLUSION: Expressing felt gratitude to others appears to be a crucial step in deriving benefits, and these benefits may not be limited to the emotionally healthy. Given the applied popularity of gratitude interventions, understanding not only if but also how they work is essential.

Citations

• Gratitude as a Psychotherapeutic Intervention

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