Findings on happiness in Rash et al. (2011): study CA 2011

Publication
Author(s)Rash, J.A.; Matsuba, M.K.; Prkachin, K.M.
TitleGratitude and Well-Being: Who Benefits the Most from a Gratitude Intervention?
SourceApplied Psychology: Health and Well-Being, 2011, Vol. 3, 350 - 369
URLhttps://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1758-0854.2011.01058.x
Investigation
PublicParticipants in a 4-week psychological training, Canada, 2011
 Average age 22,5 years. SD 3 years.
Survey nameUnnamed study
SampleNon-probability self-selected
 Participants recruited from a small urban area, 81% white, 75% with some years at university, recruited through advertisements on the radio and through posters distributedto people walking through university concourse area and at the entrance to a sports complex.Potential recruits were told that they would receive $25 for their participation.
Respondents N =65
 30 males, 35 females.
Non ResponseNot available
 No participants were excluded because of prior or current medical conditions or diagnoses.
AssesmentQuestionnaire: paper
 Physiological data were collected using a Dell Optilex GX620 computer system with Biopac physiological recording.
Happiness measure(s) used
Full textSelfreport on 10 questions. This scale consists of a number of words that describe different feelings and emotions. Read each item and mark the appropriate answer in the space next to that word. Indicate how often you generally feel this way. A upset B hostile C alert D ashamed E inspired F nervous G determined H attentive I afraid J active Answer options: 1 never 2 3 4 5 always Computation: (C=E+G+H+J)/5 - (A+B+D+F+I)/5 Name: Watson et al's PANAS, International short form I-PANAS-SF
ClassificationA-BW-g-mq-n-5-a
Author's labelPositive and Negative Affect (PANAS)
Page in publication357
Error estimatesCronbach alpha .77-.90
Finding used in
nation ranks		Yes
Full textSelfreport on 20 questions. This scale consists of a number of words that describe different feelings and emotions. Read each item and mark the appropriate answer in the space next to that word. Indicate to what extend you feel this way right now: A nervous B distressed C afraid D jittery E irritable F upset G scared H exiled I ashamed J guilty K hostile L active M determined N inspired O enthusiastic P alert Q attentive R proud S strong T interested Answer options: 1 very slightly or not at all 2 a little 3 moderately 4 quite a bit 5 extremely Negative affect score (NAS): A to K Positive affect score (PAS): L to T Affect Balance Score (ABS): PAS - NAS Name: Watson's PANAS ('moment' version)
ClassificationA-BW-m-mq-v-5-a
Author's labelDaily Pos and Neg. Affect (PANAS)
Page in publication357
Error estimatesCronbach alpha .84-.88
Finding used in
nation ranks		Yes

Correlational findings

Author's label Our subject description
Gratitude inducing exercises vs recalling eventsshow  Actual changes in happiness
Gratitude inducing exercises vs recalling eventsshow  Course, class, training group, also classified as above ↑
Gratitude inducing exercises vs recalling eventsshow  Exercise, also classified as above ↑
Gratitude inducing exercises vs recalling eventsshow  Gratitude training, also classified as above ↑
Gratitude inducing exercises vs recalling eventsshow  Mono sort, also classified as above ↑
Gratitude inducing exercises vs recalling eventsshow  Multiple treatment moments, also classified as above ↑
Gratitude inducing exercises vs recalling eventsshow  No particular setting, recruitment on interest, also classified as above ↑
Gratitude inducing exercises vs recalling eventsshow  Recal of positive events, also classified as above ↑
Gratitude inducing exercises vs recalling eventsshow  Voluntary, unsolicited, also classified as above ↑