Focusing on Close Relationships Associated With Improved Outcomes in a Workplace Gratitude Randomized Controlled Trial.

Abstract

Gratitude programs may improve well-being among health care workers, but it is unknown whether the content of practices matters. We conducted a text-based randomized controlled trial of "Three Good Things" (3GT) in a large academic primary care department. Participants responded to texts thrice weekly for 3 weeks and listed good things that happened that day. We measured depression, positive affect, gratitude, and life satisfaction for "immediate intervention" and "delayed" intervention groups. We coded >4600 entries and used multivariable regression to control for department age, role, and gender to see if content affected well-being. A total of 223 of 468 individuals (48%) enrolled. Close relationships and identifying valuable people in one's life were associated with the strongest benefits, but not all "good things" improved outcomes. Focusing gratitude on relationships may be most impactful.