Smith L’Estrange, Sarah and McGilloway, Sinéad (2020) Gratitude and Gratefulness: A preliminary evaluation of the ‘My Gratitude Journal’. Project Report. Maynooth University.

Preview

Download (9MB) | Preview

Abstract

In recent years, there has been an important shift towards prevention and early intervention services and practices, both in Ireland and elsewhere. These include Positive Psychology Interventions (PPIs), which may be defined as programmes or treatments which attempt to create positive feelings, behaviours and cognitions (Sin & Lyubomirsky, 2009). A large amount of research has indicated that PPIs can significantly improve psychological and subjective well-being, as well as reducing depressive symptoms and increasing positive emotions such as happiness and gratitude (Cohn., & Frederickson., 2010; Boiler et al., 2013). A significant body of literature has also focused on improving gratitude levels and practices, as gratitude has been strongly associated with positive emotions such as contentment, pride, hope and happiness. For example, deliberate and mindful expressions of gratitude can increase subjective well-being, generating a positive outlook on life and promoting happiness, self-confidence, resilience and prosocial behaviour (Watkins, Woodward, Stone & Kolts, 2003). This summary report presents the key findings from an exploratory study undertaken to assess the overall perceived effectiveness of a newly developed PPI in Ireland, aimed at improving aspects of wellbeing in children. This PPI is called the ‘My Gratitude Journal’. This 26-week programme was developed by Suzanne and Linda Culleton (of Positive Vibes) in 2018, with a view to creating a resource which would help to teach children skills to enable them to improve aspects of their overall wellbeing. Specifically, this PPI aims to increase confidence, self-esteem, happiness, resilience, empathy and wellness through various activities which are guided by the journal and implemented over a 26-week period.

Item Type:	Monograph (Project Report)
Keywords:	Gratitude; Gratefulness; preliminary evaluation; Gratitude Journal;
Academic Unit:	Faculty of Science and Engineering > Psychology
Item ID:	15318
Depositing User:	Dr. Sinéad McGilloway
Date Deposited:	24 Jan 2022 13:41
Publisher:	Maynooth University
URI:
Use Licence:	This item is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Licence (CC BY-NC-SA). Details of this licence are available here

Repository Staff Only(login required)

Item control page

Downloads

Origin of downloads