Abstract
Objectives This study explores the results of a rapidly implemented no-cost gratitude intervention
designed to address student distress during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
pandemic. This intervention focused on shared gratitude journaling with a postimplementation
survey of well-being using elements of Seligman's PERMA (Positive emotion, Engagement,
Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment) model of well-being.
Methods Journaling took place from November 2020 to April 2021 using a convenience sample
(N = 57) from the Master of Science in Health Informatics program at the University
of Alabama at Birmingham. An online postimplementation survey was conducted to evaluate
students' perceptions of how the intervention influenced their well-being. Quantitative
analysis was conducted to understand student well-being after two semesters of using
an online shared gratitude board. Qualitative analysis was conducted to identify themes
in the content of the student posts.
Results Relative to the PERMA elements, the majority of students agreed or strongly agreed
that posting to the gratitude board led to improvements in Positive Emotion (85.72%),
Engagement (77.2%), Relationships (67.7%), Meaning (77.2%), and Accomplishment (60%).
Students who would recommend the board outweighed the number of students who would
not by over 25%.
Discussion The gratitude board represented an opportunity to rapidly implement a no-cost opportunity
based on the science of gratitude and well-being to support students' mental health
and wellness. Meta-inferences gleaned from the quantitative and qualitative findings
suggest that students found gratitude in different areas, that having things to do
was helpful, that being able to connect with people was important, that students derived
purpose from effort, and that they felt a sense of accomplishment by completing objectives.
Conclusion Our findings suggest that adopting an attitude of gratitude helps stimulate positive
emotion to facilitate growth and learning. While this study was conducted with students
in a graduate Health Informatics program, it has widespread generalizability to other
programs and in other environments, especially at times when there is emotional distress.
Keywords
resilience - happiness - psychological well-being
