Effectiveness of Gratitude Intervention for Enhancing Life Satisfaction Among Orphans

Abstract

The present study aimed to explore the effectiveness of Gratitude intervention for enhancing Life satisfaction among orphans. Given the potential benefits of gratitude practices on mental health, this research employs a randomized controlled trial design with an experimental group receiving the gratitude intervention and a control group receiving no intervention. The intervention consisted of a 7-day gratitude practice with assessments conducted before, immediately after and at follow-up period to measure changes in life satisfaction and gratitude scores. The study was based on an experimental research design and data was collected from purposive sample of (N= 28) orphans including 15 men and 13 women from different hostels of Lahore. Satisfaction with life scale (Diener et al., 1985) and gratitude questionnaire (McCullough et al., 2002) were used to measure the focal construct of the present study, Gratitude and Life Satisfaction of the Participants. Both scales demonstrated the acceptable levels of internal consistency. Statistical analysis, non-parametric tests including the Friedman test, Wilcoxon signed rank test and man Whitney U test were administered to assess the difference in life satisfaction and gratitude scores between the experimental and control group. It was found that practicing gratitude enhanced the gratitude level and life satisfaction significantly. Limitations and implication related to the present study was elaborated and recommendations for the future researches were discussed. Keywords: gratitude, life satisfaction, orphans.