Effectiveness of gratitude journaling on psychological well - being among nursing students

Abstract

Gratitude journaling has been successfully assessed to be effective on psychological well-being among nursing students at a selected college of Nursing in the Tiruvallur district using a quantitative research approach. This consists of a one-group pre-test and post-test design. Thirty nursing students were selected using purposive sampling techniques. A standardized 5 - point rating psychological wellbeing scale with 42 items developed by psychologist Carol D. Students' psychological wellbeing was assessed based on Ryffs (1989). Each item carries a score of 0-4 based on its classifications into six aspects, which are happiness, autonomy, environmental mastery, personal growth, positive relationships with others, purpose in life, and self-acceptance. A calculated "t" value of 7.12 was calculated pre and post-test, which was bigger than p value at the 0.001 level. Study results showed that psychological wellbeing before and after a test differs statistically significantly. Hence, gratitude journaling technique was significantly effective in improving the psychological wellbeing of the nursing students. Hence this study concluded that the psychological wellbeing can be improved by effective intervention aimed at creating awareness, enhancing coping skills, positive therapy and various methods to improve the psychological wellbeing among the nursing students.