A randomised wait list-controlled pre–post–follow-up trial of a gratitude diary with a distressed sample. Issue 6 (2nd November 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Southwell, Sharon; Gould, Emma
• Is Part Of: Journal of positive psychology. Volume 12:Issue 6(2017)
• Page Start: 579
• Page End: 593
• Publication Date: 2017-11-02
• Subjects: Gratitude -- intervention -- diary -- depression -- anxiety -- sleep -- positive -- clinical -- wait list-controlled; Positive psychology -- Periodicals; Quality of life -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; Happiness -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; 158
• DOI: 10.1080/17439760.2016.1221127
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1743-9760

Abstract

Abstract: In a randomised wait list-controlled trial with repeated measures pre-, post- and follow-up design, participants ( N = 109) with a current self-reported diagnosis of an anxiety disorder and/or depression, took part in an internet-based study. After completing a three-week gratitude diary returning participants had lower scores on measures of depression, anxiety, stress and perceived sleep difficulties and higher scores on a measure of subjective well-being than immediately pre-intervention. At three-week follow-up depression and sleep scores for returning participants were no longer significantly different from pre-intervention, however, improvements for subjective well-being and stress at post-intervention were maintained. At follow-up anxiety scores had not only been maintained but had improved significantly beyond post-intervention results. Intention to treat analyses were conducted and provided support for most completer results. Differences between the two sets of analyses are discussed below. This trial provides support for the use of gratitude diaries as an intervention with distressed populations.