Outcomes of a Gratitude Practice in an Online Community of Caring

The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine : Research on Paradigm, Practice, and Policy
Mary Jo KreitzerRoni Evans

Abstract

CaringBridge (CB) is a web-based social network where people share information, enlist support, and access resources following a difficult diagnosis; it can also be used to disseminate supportive self-care tools, such as a gratitude practice, for its users. Gratitude practices are shown to reduce stress and fear, improve sleep, and increase positive emotions and overall well-being. The purpose of this article was to report the findings of a brief gratitude intervention delivered to CB users. Design, setting/location, subjects: This is a nonrandomized, prospective, pre- and post-evaluation study in an online community. Inclusion criteria were adults 18 years or older, English literate, willingness to participate in a mind-body practice, and active users of CB: patient, caregiver, or visitor to a site. Participants were engaged in a daily, 21-day brief gratitude practice and were given weekly automated reminders to do their practice. Outcomes included perceived stress, gratitude, social connectedness, and social assurance scales. Paired t tests were used to assess changes in outcomes; multivariate regression models were used to assess the relationship between the frequency of gratitude practice and change in outcomes. Follow-up d...Continue Reading

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Citations

Dec 6, 2020·Health & Social Care in the Community·Mostafa KamalpourSyed Rehan

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Software Mentioned

Stata
CaringBridge
REDCap

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