Abstract
Positive psychology interventions are the subject of much scientific research focused on finding ways to increase people’s mental well-being. One such intervention is to develop gratitude. Gratitude training can be conducted both preventively and therapeutically. In this article, the Author refers to the latest world literature, referring to the results of experimental research confirming the existence of benefits related to developing gratitude in everyday life, both for physical, mental and social health. The author presents a suggestion to include such therapeutic interventions in the program of sociotherapeutic activities for children and adolescents. The implementation of interventions based on gratitude, which is one of the mechanisms underlying resistance to aggression and violence, can bring definite benefits for psychological well-being and social relations among young participants of sociotherapy.
References
Baumsteiger, R., Mangan, S., Cotton Bronk, K., Bono, G. (2019). An integrative intervention for cultivating gratitude among adolescents and young adults. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 14(6), 807–819.
Bono, G., Fauteux, M. (2020). Giving Thanks at School to Promote Equity and Excellence. Pobrano z: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/348756148_Giving_Thanks_at_School_to_Promote_Equity_and_Excellence [dostęp: 15.08.2022].
Bono, G., Mangan, S., Fauteux, M., Sender, J. (2020). A new approach to gratitude interventions in high schools that supports student wellbeing. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 15(5), 657–665.
Bor, W., Dean, A.J., Najman, J., Hayatbakhsh, R. (2014). Are child and adolescent mental health problems increasing in the 21st century? A systematic review. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 48, 606–616.
Cregg, D.R., Cheavens, J.S. (2021). Gratitude interventions: Effective self-help? A meta-analysis of the impact on symptoms of depression and anxiety. Journal of Happiness Studies, 22(1), 413–445.
Davis, D.E., Choe, E., Meyers, J., Worthington, E.L., Jr. i in. (2016). Thankful for the little things: A meta-analysis of gratitude interventions. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 63(1), 20–31.
DeWall, N., Lambert, N.M., Pond, R.S., Kashdan, T.B., Fincham, F.D. (2012). A Grateful Heart is a Nonviolent Heart: Cross-Sectional, Experience Sampling, Longitudinal, and Experimental Evidence. Social Psychological and Personality Science, 3(2), 232–240.
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, 377–389.
Fredrickson, B.L. (2013). Updated thinking on positivity ratios. American Psychologist, 68(9), 814−822.
Froh, J.J., Bono, G., Fan, J., Emmons, R.A., Henderson, K., Harris, C., Wood, A. (2014). Nice thinking! An educational intervention that teaches children how to think gratefully. School Psychology Review, 43, 132–152.
Froh, J.J., Emmons, R.A., Card, N.A., Bono, G., Wilson, J. (2010). Gratitude and the reduced costs of materialism in adolescents. Journal of Happiness Studies, 12, 289–302.
Froh, J.J., Kashdan, T.B., Ozimkowski, K.M., Miller, N. (2009). Who benefits the most from a gratitude intervention in children and adolescents? Examining positive affect as a moderator. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 4, 408–422.
Froh, J.J., Sefick, W.J., Emmons, R.A. (2008). Counting blessings in early adolescents: An experimental study of gratitude and subjective well-being. Journal of School Psychology, 46, 213–233.
Geier, M.T., Morris, J. (2022). The impact of a gratitude intervention on mental well-being during COVID-19: A quasi-experimental study of university students. Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being, 1.
Itare, H., O’Sullivan, D. (2019). Gratitude Intervention: A case Study. Psychological Society of Ireland Annual Conference, November.
Killen, A., Macaskill, A. (2015). Using a gratitude intervention to enhance well-being in older adults. Journal of Happiness Studies, 16(4), 947–964.
Koay, S.-H., Ng, A.-T., Tham, S.-K., Tan, C.-S. (2020). Gratitude intervention on Instagram: An experimental study. Psychological Studies, 65(2).
Lambert, N.M., Clarke, M.S., Durtschi, J.A., Fincham, F.D., Graham, S.M. (2010). Benefits of expressing gratitude for the expresser: An examination of gratitude’s contribution to perceived communal strength. Psychological Science, 21, 574–580.
Lasota, A. (2017). Doświadczanie empatii i wdzięczności a poczucie dobrostanu i sensu życia. VII Ogólnopolska Konferencja „Bliżej Emocji”, Lublin, 18–19.05.2017.
Lasota, A. (2018). Pozytywny wpływ empatii i wdzięczności na ocenę siebie i swojego życia. III Konferencja Psychologii Pozytywnej, Warszawa, 2–4.07.2018.
Lasota, A., Koźlik-Rączka, A. (2020). Postawy rodzicielskie predyktorem empatii, wdzięczności i samooceny młodzieży. Kraków: Wydawnictwo UP.
Lasota, A., Tomaszek, K., Bosacki, S. (2020). Empathy, Resilience, and Gratitude – Does Gender Make a Difference? Anales de Psicologia, 36(3), 521–532.
Lyubomirsky, S. (2008). Wybierz szczęście. Naukowe metody budowania życia, jakiego pragniesz. Warszawa: Laurum.
Lyubomirsky, S., Sheldon, K.M., Schkade, D. (2005). Pursuing happiness: The architecture of sustainable change. Review of General Psychology, 9(2), 111–131.
Ma, M., Kibler, J.L., Sly, K. (2013). Gratitude is associated with greater levels of protective factors and lower levels of risks in African American adolescents. Journal of Adolescence, 36(5), 983–991.
McCullough, M.E., Kilpatrick, S.D., Emmons, R.A., Larson, D.B. (2001). Is gratitude a moral affect? Psychological Bulletin, 127, 249–266.
Nolen-Hoeksema, S., Girgus, J.S. (1994). The emergence of gender differences in depression during adolescence. Psychological Bulletin, 115(3), 424–443.
Peterson, C., Seligman, M.E.P. (2004). Character Strengths and Virtues: A Handbook and Classification. New York: Oxford University Press.
Rash, J., Matsuba, M.K., Prkachin, K.M. (2011). Gratitude and well-being: Who benefits the most from a gratitude intervention? Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being, 3(3), 350–369.
Rey, L., Quintana-Orts, C., Mérida-López, S., Extremera, N. (2019). Being Bullied at School: Gratitude as Potential Protective Factor for Suicide Risk in Adolescents. Frontiers in Psychology, 10:662.
Sheldon, K.M., Lyubomirsky, S. (2006). How to increase and sustain positive emotion: The effects of expressing gratitude and visualizing best possible selves. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 1, 73–82.
Shi, G., Zhu, W. (2008). The intervention of gratitude and subjective well-being for junior middle school students. Psychological Exploration, 28(3), 63–66.
Smith, L., Jacob, L., Yakkundi, A., McDermott, D., Tully, M.A. i in. (2020). Correlates of symptoms of anxiety and depression and mental wellbeing associated with COVID-19: A cross-sectional study of UK-based respondents. Psychiatry Research, 291(113138).
Sun, P., Sun, Y., Jiang, H., Jia, R., Li, Z. (2019). Gratitude and Problem Behaviors in Adolescents: The Mediating Roles of Positive and Negative Coping Styles. Frontiers in Psychology, 10:1547, 1−10.
Tolcher, K., Cauble, M., Downs, A. (2022). Evaluating the effects of gratitude interventions on college student well-being. Journal of American College Health.
Tsang, J. (2006). Gratitude and prosocial behavior: An experimental test of gratitude. Cognition and Emotion, 20(1), 138–148.
Van Hal, G. (2015). The true cost of the economic crisis on psychological well-being: A review. Psychology Research and Behavior Management, 8, 17–25.
Watkins, P.C., Woodward, K., Stone, T., Kolts, R.L. (2003). Gratitude and happiness: Development of a measure of gratitude, and relationship with subjective well-being. Social Behavior & Personality, 31, 431–452.
Wood, A.M., Froh, J.J., Geraghty, A. (2010). Gratitude and well-being: a review and theoretical integration. Clinical Psychology Review, 30, 890–905.
Wood, A.M., Joseph, S., Maltby, J. (2008). Gratitude uniquely predicts satisfaction with life: Incremental validity above the domains and facets of the five-factor model. Personality and Individual Differences, 45(1), 49–54.
Wood, A.M., Joseph, S., Maltby, J. (2009). Gratitude predicts psychological well-being above the Big Five facets. Personality and Individual differences, 46(4), 443–447.
Wood, A.M., Maltby, J., Gillett, R., Linley, P.A., Joseph, S. (2008). The role of gratitude in the development of social support, stress, and depression: Two longitudinal studies. Journal of Research in Personality, 42, 854–871.
Yanhe, D., Ruiyang, X., Yijie, Z., Yi, L., Shi, Y., Xiangping, L. (2019). Counting blessings and sharing gratitude in a Chinese prisoner sample: Effects of gratitude-based interventions on subjective well-being and aggression. The Journal of Positive Psychology.
License
Copyright (c) 2023 Agnieszka Lasota
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.