The Effect of a Gratitude Journaling Intervention on Psychological Wellbeing and Depressive Symptoms Among University Students: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

This study examined the effect of a gratitude journaling intervention on psychological wellbeing and depressive symptoms among university students. A total of 150 students aged 18–25 years were recruited and randomly assigned to three groups: a gratitude journaling group, an active control group that recorded daily events, and a waitlist control group, over a six-week intervention period. Psychological outcomes were assessed using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21), the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), and the Gratitude Questionnaire (GQ-6) at baseline, mid-intervention (Week 3), and post-intervention (Week 6). Mixed-design analyses of variance revealed significant Group × Time interactions for life satisfaction (p < .001), gratitude (p < .001), and depressive symptoms (p < .001). Simple effects analyses indicated that the gratitude journaling group showed significant improvements from baseline to Week 6 across all outcomes, whereas the two control groups showed little change. A strong positive correlation (r = .62, p < .001) was found between change in gratitude and change in life satisfaction, and change in gratitude was negatively correlated with change in depressive symptoms (r = −.55, p < .001). These findings suggest that a brief, low-cost gratitude journaling practice can yield meaningful improvements in wellbeing and reductions in depressive symptoms among university students, with implications for campus mental health services and positive psychology interventions.