Cultivate an attitude of gratitude among college students:

Examining the positive effect of gratitude intervention on subjective well-being

Abstract

Background: Positive psychological interventions (PPIs) is the premise that focuses on how people can learn contentment and move toward Subjective well-being (SWB). One of the well-known Positive psychological intervention strategies is the gratitude intervention that challenges to evoke gratitude and helps produce positive feelings. The primary purpose of this study was to examine the implementation of 3 weeks gratitude meditation program and determine its effects on SWB (spell out) measures. Also, it was observed whether or not the Gratitude practice can improve the tendency to respond with a sense of gratitude itself.

Methodology: This Quasi-Experimental study included 160 students from 2 colleges in Karachi who were participating voluntarily in the gratitude meditation program, conducted by investigators. All study subjects gave written informed consent before proceeding further. The mean age of the study subjects was 15 to 20 years. A total of 80 male and 80 female students participate in this study. The purposive non-probability sampling technique was used for recruiting the study sample. Data were obtained using a brief demographic sheet, followed by pre-and post-intervention measures, using the Gratitude Questionnaire-Six Item Form (GQ-6), the Positive and Negative Affect Scale (PANAS), and Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS). Statistical analysis was conducted on SPSS version 22.0. Descriptive analysis technique and paired-sample t-test applied for within-group comparison.

Results: The findings were highly significant with p< .001. The results showed a significant difference between the mean scores of pre-and Post-intervention conditions of SWB. Moreover, the participant's level of gratitude was increased by experimental manipulation.

Conclusion: Cultivating gratitude significantly contributes to satisfaction and positive outcomes in life, suggesting that gratitude training could be proposed as a beneficial practice for increasing SWB.