The benefits of gratitude interventions aren’t the same for everyone
The benefits of gratitude interventions vary based on where they are practiced and by whom, according to new research.
A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academies of Science has revealed that the benefits of gratitude interventions can vary significantly based on cultural context and the specific practice employed. Led by social psychologists from UC Santa Barbara, the University of Florida, and UC San Diego, the research examined 34 countries and found that the effectiveness of gratitude practices differs across cultures.
Gratitude journaling and counting one's blessings emerged as two popular practices, but their effectiveness varied across countries. The study used six different gratitude interventions and compared them to control tasks, measuring outcomes such as positive affect, negative affect, optimism, life satisfaction, envy, and feelings of indebtedness.
Generally, gratitude texts and letters, Naikan reflection, and divine gratitude had the greatest effects, while mental subtraction and gratitude lists were less effective. The researchers suggest that cultural context plays a crucial role in the effectiveness of gratitude interventions, as the same practice can have different emotional and social implications in various cultural settings.
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