Researchers Joshua, Matsuba and Prkachin conducted a study in 2011 that examined the usefulness of gratitude interventions in children, youth and adults. These researchers explain that gratitude can be thought of in two different ways—one as a trait and one as a state. As a trait, grateful people tend to see the world in a more positive light. Experiencing gratitude as a state is an episodic occurrence when a positive, social emotion is felt due to an undeserved act of kindness or generosity freely given by another person. While trait gratitude is felt continuously, state gratitude is more episodic. These researchers also looked at implementing three gratitude induction methods to increase gratitude in groups of people. These inductions include gratitude lists, behavioural expressions of gratitude, and gratitude contemplation. 

For researching gratitude lists, the researchers used a group of middle school students. The students were to write either a list of things they were grateful for each day, or they were to write a list of hassles they experience each day. The group that wrote a list of things they were grateful for ended up showing an increase in gratitude and a decrease in negative affect compared to the “hassle” group. The gratitude group also showed more satisfaction with their school experience than the “hassle” group. 

To study the impact of behavioural expressions of gratitude, the researchers had middle school students write letters to show gratitude to someone in their lives. The practice of writing letters resulted in increased happiness and decreased depression for participants. The group with the largest shift were those who had more negative affect before engaging in gratitude letter writing. 

The induction method that showed the greatest results was gratitude contemplation, which required participants to think about or write about things they are grateful for. Participants showed a major shift in positive affect. Additionally, participants showed an increase in perceived relational value and social acceptance. This result makes researchers believe that gratitude is an acceptance-related emotion that may increase self-esteem. Their experiment with gratitude contemplation also helped participants feel happier and more satisfied with their lives.  Overall, these results show how beneficial it is to incorporate gratitude into daily thoughts and practice. 

 

Rash, Joshua A, M. Kyle Matsuba, and Kenneth M Prkachin. 2011. “Gratitude and Well-Being: Who Benefits the Most from a Gratitude Intervention?” Applied Psychology : Health and Well-Being 3 (3): 350–69. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1758-0854.2011.01058.x.