The Impact of a Gratitude Intervention on Stress Reactivity

Summary

This study will employ a randomized mixed between-within experimental stress-testing protocol design. Physiological responses (blood pressure and pulse) will be recorded throughout a baseline, gratitude induction, standard stress-task and recovery period. Participants will be randomly allocated to the experimental (grateful induction) or control condition (neutral induction). Gratitude will be induced by completing a gratitude letter. Demographics will be measured. Psychosocial and health variables will be measured psychometrically at baseline to assess pre-existing levels and after both manipulations (allocated induction and stress task) to monitor expected change over time between conditions. Stress task is an adapted version of the Trier Stress Testing protocol.

Conditions

• Positive Emotions
• Blood Pressure
• Stress, Psychological

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Gratitude letter

Participants are given the following instructions: Think of someone in your life who you feel like you have never fully or properly thanked for something meaningful or important that they did for you. . . . In the space provided below, please write a note to this person that describes why you feel like you never properly thanked them and letting them know why you feel thankful for something important that they did for you. Though this letter will not actually be sent to this person and is simply an exercise for you, please use this as an opportunity to really explore those feelings surrounding how you feel about what they have done for you and write honestly and openly from your heart. You have ten minutes.

BEHAVIORAL

Control intervention

Participants receive the following instructions: Think of the room you are in…. In the space below, please provide a description of the room you are in. Try to focus on the specific elements in the room, the colours of the wall or objects in the room. Use this writing session as an opportunity to paint a detailed picture of this room and include as much specific information as you can. You have ten minutes.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Bial Foundation

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• Dr. Brenda O'Connell

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• Dr. Deirdre O'Shea

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• National University of Ireland, Maynooth

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

BASIC_SCIENCE

Masking

DOUBLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

99 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2021-10-20

Primary Completion

2022-09-30

Completion

2022-11-30

Countries

• Ireland

Study Locations