Gratitude and stress of health care professional in Hong Kong

Abstract

Objectives: This study investigated the effect of gratitude intervention on promoting psychological well-being of the health care professionals in Hong Kong. Methods: A convenience sample of 161 health care professionals (nurses, doctors, physical therapists and occupational therapists) were enrolled in the study. Baseline and post-intervention measures were taken before and after the gratitude manipulation. Each participant was randomly assigned into one of two conditions: (a) gratitude or (b) hassle. They had to write down at least one grateful or hassle event twice a week for 4 conservative weeks, and the date was assigned in random. Results: Results showed that the two experimental conditions differed in the number of hassle, gratitude and neutral events. Group difference in psychological well-being emerged after gratitude manipulation, showing gratitude group reported more grateful, higher life satisfaction, increased positive affect, but lower depression and negative affect than the hassle group. However higher perceived stress was reported in the gratitude condition compared with that of the hassle condition. Conclusion: This is the first study to demonstrate positive psychological well-being for the health care professionals in Hong Kong with the randomized trial of gratitude intervention.