Gratitude intervention optimizes effective learning outcomes in Filipino high school students: A mixed-methods study

Abstract

Prior studies have shown that gratitude is a catalyst of well-being and desirable psychological outcomes. The academic benefits of gratitude, however, remains underexplored in school contexts. This research builds on previous research integrating gratitude interventions with educational technology via evaluating the impacts of a Facebook-based gratitude intervention on academic motivation and engagement among selected Filipino high school students using a sequential explanatory mixed-methods design. In the quantitative phase of this research, results showed that students who were assigned to the intervention condition had higher scores than those in the control condition, on autonomous motivation, controlled motivation, and cognitive engagement. In the follow-up qualitative phase, findings indicated that Facebook-based gratitude intervention increased such learning outcomes because this interventioncould promote social support, motivation, positive thinking, and desire to pay back parents and other significant people. Taken together, this research suggests that designing online gratitude intervention via social media platform can boost positive learning processes and outcomes.