The Mediating Role of Psychological Flexibility on the Relationship of Gratitude Journaling on Anxiety Symptoms

Abstract

Anxiety among students and emerging professionals is a major health concern, and effective interventions are needed to combat severe negative consequences. This study investigated how gratitude interventions reduce anxiety symptoms by proposing psychological flexibility. The study was designed as a pre-and post-assessment with a 10-day intervention. All participants (n = 58) took part in a daily diary intervention, while half additionally took part in a gratitude journaling intervention. First, it was hypothesized that anxiety scores would be lower in the gratitude journaling group compared to the daily diary intervention at the post-test. Second, it was hypothesized that psychological flexibility would be higher in the gratitude journaling group compared to the daily diary intervention. Third, a mediation of psychological flexibility on the relation between gratitude intervention and anxiety symptoms was proposed. Mediation analysis revealed no significant difference in anxiety symptoms or psychological flexibility between the two intervention groups. Consequently, psychological flexibility did not mediate the relationship between gratitude intervention and anxiety symptoms. Exploratory post hoc analysis revealed that the subcomponents of psychological flexibility did not differentially influence anxiety symptoms. Based on relational frame theory, I suggested that future studies should adapt a definition of gratitude that captures its relational function, socially and cognitively. Further, I implied an in-depth investigation of how the singular components of psychological flexibility connect to specific anxiety symptoms. Thereby gratitude interventions can be adapted more precisely to the needs of students and emerging professionals who struggle with anxiety.