A Mobile App-Based Gratitude Intervention's Effect on Mental Well-Being in University Students: Randomized Controlled Trial.

Fuller C, Marin-Dragu S, Iyer RS, Meier SM

JMIR mHealth and uHealth · January 14, 2025

Background: Gratitude interventions are used to cultivate a sense of gratitude for life and others. Methods: Participants completed surveys on emotional well-being at the beginning and end of a 3-week period, and were randomly assigned to either a control or a gratitude-intervention smartphone app. Results: A total of 120 participants met the inclusion criteria; 41 in the intervention group and 52 in the control group provided complete data. Participants with at least moderate baseline symptomatology reported significantly lower symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress postintervention (Cohen d=-0.68; P=.04) but not in the full sample with low baseline symptomatology (Cohen d=0.16; P=.46). Conclusions: University students experiencing moderate to severe distress can benefit from a gratitude intervention smartphone app to improve symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress.

PMID: 39810453 · DOI: 10.2196/53850