ABSTRACT
Experiencing, expressing and receiving gratitude has been empirically linked with positive outcomes that benefit both individuals and their social environment. There is now a well-established link between gratitude and subjective well-being, and more recently, a meta-analysis has established that gratitude is positively linked with prosociality. This chapter investigates in greater depth the mechanisms of gratitude. The ability to feel and express gratitude is universal but is mediated by cultural differences, cultural norms and other environmental factors. To provide adolescent students and members of staff with an opportunity to reflect on the role that gratitude played in their lives, a gratitude intervention entitled ‘Nice November’ was implemented by BrainCanDo at Queen Anne’s School, Caversham, United Kingdom. This month-long intervention was also designed to explore whether recording moments of daily gratitude within an educational setting would change levels of gratitude, subjective well-being and sense of belonging.
