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How Can Gratitude Interventions Be Used to Enhance Well-Being?

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Abstract

In this chapter I explain some of the more practical aspects of gratitude. Specifically, I present empirically supported gratitude interventions in some detail. Gratitude exercises seem to fall into four categories that I refer to as (1) grateful recounting, (2) grateful reflection, (3) grateful expression, and (4) grateful reappraisal. After discussing each of these forms of gratitude exercises, I then examine interventions that are designed to encourage the disposition of gratitude. In the application of gratitude it is important to consider potential moderators. Thus I discuss potential treatment moderators such as affectivity and gender. The chapter concludes with suggestions for future innovations in gratitude treatment research.

Except where intolerably adverse circumstances interfere, praise almost seems to be inner health made audible.

–C.S. Lewis, Reflections on the Psalms, p. 94

O Lord, that lends me life,

Lend me a heart replete with thankfulness!

–William Shakespeare, Henry VI, Part II, Act I, scene 1.

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Watkins, P.C. (2014). How Can Gratitude Interventions Be Used to Enhance Well-Being?. In: Gratitude and the Good Life. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-7253-3_13

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