Abstract
Gratitude has recently received a significant amount of research attention in the emerging field of positive psychology. Gratitude interventions are being empirically validated and are showing great promise in enhancing life satisfaction, decreasing depression and anxiety, coping with adversity, facilitating relationships, building civic and moral aspirations and behaviors, and promoting physiological benefits as well. This article will tie the empirical literature to an LDS theology that has long taught and currently advoactes for the cultivation of gratitude as an essential component of a spiritually based, meaningful, and happy life. An empirical overview of the benefits of gratitude will be provided, potential gratitude interventions will be suggested, and principles for intervention effectiveness will be discussed.
Recommended Citation
Worthen, Vaughn E. and Isakson, Richard L.
(2007)
"The Therapeutic Value of Experiencing and Expressing Gratitude,"
Issues in Religion and Psychotherapy: Vol. 31:
No.
1, Article 5.
Available at:
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/irp/vol31/iss1/5