Enhanced academic motivation in university students following a 2-week online gratitude journal intervention

Effects of a gratitude intervention on job engagement among newly recruited nurses: A randomized clinical trial

BackgroundGratitude at work is defined as the tendency to notice and appreciate aspects of work, how it affects one's life. Studies show that gratitude education can alleviate individual burnout and increase the ability to resist pressure, but it is not clear whether gratitude intervention can improve individual job involvement.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study is to determine whether gratitude intervention can reduce stress, job burnout and enhance job involvement of new nurses.MethodsA randomized controlled trial was conducted from September 2020 to September 2021. A total of 118 new nurses in China were randomly divided into gratitude group and control group by random number table method. The control group received routine training for new nurses, and the intervention group received, in addition, a gratitude intervention for 2 months. The primary outcome measure was the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale-9 score (UWES-9). Secondary outcome indicators were Gratitude Questionnaire score (GQ-6), The Perceived Stress Scale score (PSS), and Maslach Burnout Inventory score (MBI). This study was reported using the CONSORT checklist.ResultsA total of 118 new nurses were included. The scores of UWES-9 scale of the gratitude group were significantly higher than those in the control group immediately after intervention, 3 months and 6 months after intervention, as the main observation index. Among the secondary outcome indicators, GQ-6 and MBI Personal Accompli-shment scores in the gratitude group were significantly higher than those in the control group immediately after intervention and 3 months after intervention. The PSS, MBI-Emotional Exhaustion and Depersonalization scores in the gratitude group were significantly lower than those in the control group immediately after intervention, 3 months and 6 months after intervention.ConclusionsGratitude intervention can effectively improve the level of job involvement and gratitude, reduce stress and burnout of new nurses. However, this was a relatively short follow-up period. Further studies are needed to assess the long-term effects for new nurses.

Application of Positive Psychology in Digital Interventions for Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Controlled Trials

BACKGROUND

The rising prevalence of mental health issues in children, adolescents, and young adults has become an escalating public health issue, impacting approximately 10%-20% of young people on a global scale. Positive psychology interventions (PPIs) can act as powerful mental health promotion tools to reach wide-ranging audiences that might otherwise be challenging to access. This increased access would enable prevention of mental disorders and promotion of widespread well-being by enhancing self-efficacy, thereby supporting the achievement of tangible objectives.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to conduct a comprehensive synthesis of all randomized controlled trials and controlled trials involving children, adolescents, and young adults, encompassing both clinical and nonclinical populations, to comprehensively evaluate the effectiveness of digital PPIs in this age group.

METHODS

After a literature search in 9 electronic databases until January 12, 2023, and gray literature until April 2023, we carried out a systematic review of 35 articles, of which 18 (51%) provided data for the meta-analysis. We included randomized controlled trials and controlled trials mainly based on web-based, digital, or smartphone-based interventions using a positive psychology framework as the main component. Studies included participants with a mean age of <35 years. Outcomes of PPIs were classified into indicators of well-being (compassion, life satisfaction, optimism, happiness, resilience, emotion regulation and emotion awareness, hope, mindfulness, purpose, quality of life, gratitude, empathy, forgiveness, motivation, and kindness) and ill-being (depression, anxiety, stress, loneliness, and burnout). PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines were used for the selection of studies and data extraction. Quality assessment was performed following the CONSORT (Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials) guidelines.

RESULTS

For well-being outcomes, meta-analytic results showed that PPIs augmented the feeling of purpose, gratitude, and hope (Hedges g=0.555), compassion (Hedges g=0.447), positive coping behaviors (Hedges g=0.421), body image-related outcomes (Hedges g=0.238), and positive mindset predisposition (Hedges g=0.304). For ill-being outcomes, PPIs reduced cognitive biases (Hedges g=-0.637), negative emotions and mood (Hedges g=-0.369), and stress levels (Hedges g=-0.342). Of note, larger effect sizes were found when a waiting list control group was considered versus a digital control group. A funnel plot showed no publication bias. Meta-regression analyses showed that PPIs tended to show a larger effect size on well-being outcomes in studies including young adults, whereas no specific effect was found for ill-being outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Revised evidence suggests that PPIs benefit young people's well-being and mitigate ill-being symptoms. Digital platforms offer a unique way to address their mental health challenges, although not without limitations. Future research should explore how they work for the needs of the young population and further examine what specific PPIs or combination of interventions is most beneficial with respect to other digital control groups.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

PROSPERO International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews CRD42023420092; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=420092.

Distinct associations between gratitude, self-esteem, and optimism with subjective and psychological well-being among Japanese individuals

BACKGROUND

Mounting evidence suggests that the effectiveness of positive psychology interventions is influenced by a variety of factors, including cultural context. Identifying intervention targets that can effectively contribute to improving individual well-being under these boundary conditions is a crucial step when developing viable interventions. To this end, we examined how gratitude disposition, self-esteem, and optimism relate to the subjective well-being (SWB) and psychological well-being (PWB) of Japanese individuals.

METHODS

Multivariate regression analysis was employed to quantify the unique relationships between the three potential intervention targets and both SWB and PWB, while accounting for the influence of other variables. Participants (N = 71) also engaged in a 4-week experience sampling study to explore how gratitude, self-esteem and optimism shape the link between momentary affective states in everyday life and evaluations of day satisfaction.

RESULTS

Multivariate regression analysis revealed that self-esteem was predominantly more strongly associated with SWB compared to gratitude disposition, whereas gratitude disposition was more strongly associated with the PWB dimensions, particularly personal growth, positive relations with others and purpose in life. Experience sampling data indicated that while both gratitude disposition and self-esteem moderated the association between momentary positive affect and day satisfaction evaluations, they did so in opposite ways; greater gratitude disposition strengthened the association, while greater self-esteem weakened it.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, the current results suggest that while gratitude, self-esteem, and optimism influence individual well-being as a whole, they likely play distinct roles in facilitating SWB and PWB in the studied cohort.

Being Thankful for What You Have: A Systematic Review of Evidence for the Effect of Gratitude on Life Satisfaction

Background

Many studies suggest a link between gratitude and life satisfaction, including experimental tests of gratitude interventions. This paper presents a systematic review of recent literature on the influence of gratitude on life satisfaction. The aim of this research is to better understand the nature of the relationship between gratitude and life satisfaction and to evaluate the state of literature.

Methodology

A systematic search was conducted using four databases (APA PsycInfo, Scopus, Web of Science, and EBSCO), targeting articles published since 2010. Correlational studies were included if they used the GQ6 measure of gratitude and the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS). Intervention studies were included if they reported effects of a gratitude manipulation on SWLS scores. Forty-four articles (N = 16,529) focusing on gratitude and life satisfaction were ultimately selected. Among the selected studies, 18 employed experimental designs and 26 were cross-sectional studies. Five studies also presented cross-lagged analyses from two or more timepoints.

Results

The review indicated a substantial positive correlation between gratitude and life satisfaction. Various potential mediators were also identified, including meaning in life, social support, and self-esteem. Some experimental research suggested that gratitude interventions may increase life satisfaction compared to neutral control conditions, although evidence was mixed. There was stronger evidence for these effects in people from Western countries. However, there is no strong evidence that gratitude interventions outperform positively valenced control conditions. Thus, it is possible that the effects of intervention could be caused by demand- or placebo effects.

Conclusion and Recommendation

While it is clear that there is a link between gratitude and life satisfaction, the extent to which gratitude causes life satisfaction and the mechanism underlying that link require further exploration. We suggest that experimental work test effects of changes in gratitude that cannot be explained by placebo- or demand effects. We also encourage more interactive interventions as well as research that investigates third variables that could underlie both gratitude and life satisfaction.

The Synergy Zone: Connecting the Mind, Brain, and Heart for the Ideal Classroom Learning Environment

This paper proposes a new perspective on implementing neuroeducation in the classroom. The pandemic exacerbated the mental health issues of faculty and students, creating a mental health crisis that impairs learning. It is important to get our students back in "the zone", both cognitively and emotionally, by creating an ideal learning environment for capturing our students and keeping them-the Synergy Zone. Research that examines the classroom environment often focuses on the foreground-instructors' organizational and instructional aspects and content. However, the emotional climate of the classroom affects student well-being. This emotional climate would ideally exhibit the brain states of engagement, attention, connection, and enjoyment by addressing the mind, brain, and heart. This ideal learning environment would be achieved by combining proposed practices derived from three areas of research: flow theory, brain synchronization, and positive emotion with heart engagement. Each of these enhances the desired brain states in a way that the whole is greater than the sum of the individual parts. I call this the Synergy Zone. A limitation of this proposed model is that implementation of some aspects may be challenging, and professional development resources might be needed. This essay presenting this perspective provides the relevant scientific research and the educational implications of implementation.

Academic burnout, self-esteem, coping with stress and gratitude among Polish medical students – a cross sectional study

Introduction: Academic burnout is emerging as an essential obstacle in education process. Students of the most challenging fields of study with high degrees of stress are thought to be at the highest risk. Medical studies are considered one of them. The aim of the study was to measure the levels of academic burnout, stress and gratitude among Polish medical students of Medical University of Lublin, and determine their styles of coping with stress.

Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a questionnaire comprised of the following: Maslach Burnout Inventory – Student Survey (MBI-SS), Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (SES), a Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations (CISS) and a Gratitude Questionnaire Six-Item form (GQ-6). The data was obtained from 773 medical students.

Results: Total number of 169 students (21.86%) met criteria for academic burnout. When it comes to 354 participants, they displayed signs of low self-esteem (45.8%). The number of 18 students showed low level of gratitude, while gratitude level of the majority of them – 496 (64.17%) was high. The most common style of coping with stress was emotions-oriented style – 354 students (48.29%), followed by task-oriented style – 345 students (47.07%). Burnout subscales turned out to be associated with age, year of study, self-esteem, gratitude and different styles of coping with stress to the various extent.

Conclusions: The prevalence of academic burnout among Polish medical students is high compared with general population across various occupations. Utilisation of protective characteristics of high self-esteem, gratitude and healthy coping methods can result in development of efficient anti-burnout prevention strategies and intervention tools.

Effects of value and interest intervention on EFL student teachers' research motivation in the Chinese context

Language teacher research is conducive to the development of teachers' teaching skills and professional careers. Thus, many English teacher education programs require student teachers to do research. However, some empirical findings suggest that English as a foreign language (EFL) student teachers lack research motivation. Consequently, finding suitable interventions to increase their research motivation has become increasingly necessary. In light of the importance of research motivation intervention, this study involved designing an experiment to identify the effect of a value and interest intervention including the sharing of positive research experiences to improve student teachers' research motivation. Quantitative questionnaires and qualitative semi-structured interviews were used to gather evidence on the change in student teachers' research motivation during the intervention. The interview data revealed that student teachers' research motivation was influenced by their belief in the value of research to their teaching practice. The experiment results suggested that student teachers' intrinsic and extrinsic research motivations both increased after the intervention. However, the intervention was not effective in curbing their failure avoidance tendency. Pedagogical implications of the results are discussed at the end of this article.

Thankful employees: The manifestation of gratitude at work during a pandemic in South Africa

Gratitude or the appreciation of being given something of value, is an important element in positive emotions within positive psychology. Gratitude has been linked to wellbeing and gratitude in the workplace is positively associated with constructs such as performance and organizational citizenship behavior. The pandemic brought on many negative experiences but employees could still find things to be grateful for during this time. The purpose of the study was to understand what aspects of work and the organization employees were grateful for during the pandemic. A generic qualitative approach was used. Participants were sourced from various industries in South Africa using purposive sampling. Data were gathered through 21 semi-structured interviews of working people in South Africa. Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis revealed five themes, namely, (1) gratitude for no negative work-life changes; (2) gratitude for a caring workplace; (3) gratitude for a new way of working; (4) gratitude for the ability to put oneself first; and (5) gratitude for having resilience, optimism and spirituality as a psychological buffer. Managers should deliberately engage in behaviors that will bring about gratitude from their employees. Employees should reflect on the positive things at work that they are thankful for as a way of enhancing gratitude and thereby, wellness, performance, and commitment. The study combines existing knowledge on gratitude during the pandemic with gratitude in the workplace.