Attitude of Gratitude: Evaluation of a Wellness Program to Improve Dispositional Gratitude Among Medical Students

Authors

Amelia C. Phillips, University of South FloridaFollow
Farina A. Klocksieben, University of South FloridaFollow

Abstract

Introduction: Medical students face significant mental health challenges as they matriculate through medical training. Research has emphasized the need for more interventions that promote physician trainee well-being and resilience during the early stages of training. Recent interventions have shown to be effective in promoting mental health and well-being; however, no interventions have examined the impact that daily gratitude practice, which is linked to increased well-being, may have on dispositional gratitude levels among medical students.

Methods: In Spring 2019, medical students at the University of South Florida were invited to participate in a gratitude program. Participants logged three good things that happened to them each day, for a period of 30 days. Their dispositional gratitude levels were assessed using the short-form Gratitude Resentment and Application Test (GRAT) before and after the 30-day intervention. Participant demographics and changes in GRAT scores from baseline to follow-up were examined.

Results: Forty-six medical students volunteered to participate in a short-term, gratitude-focused wellness program. Overall levels of dispositional gratitude increased significantly among medical students (p<.001). While a significant increase in GRAT score was found among the thirty-five female participants (p<.001), no significant change was found among the eleven male participants (p=.154). GRAT scores increased significantly among both first- and second-year medical students (p=.001). However, no significant increases were reported among third- and fourth-year students (p=.109). GRAT scores increased significantly regardless of whether students used a tool to practice gratitude at baseline.

Conclusion: Our results demonstrate that a 30-day gratitude practice program can improve dispositional gratitude among medical students, particularly among female students and pre-clinical students in years one and two.

DOI

10.18297/jwellness/vol2/iss2/9

Recommended Citation

Phillips, Amelia C. and Klocksieben, Farina A. (2020) "Attitude of Gratitude: Evaluation of a Wellness Program to Improve Dispositional Gratitude Among Medical Students," Journal of Wellness: Vol. 2 : Iss. 2 , Article 9.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.18297/jwellness/vol2/iss2/9
Available at: https://ir.library.louisville.edu/jwellness/vol2/iss2/9