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Gratitude journaling reduces depressive symptoms.

the verdict
INSUFFICIENT LEANING
Recorded sources
9 sources for · 0 against

Counts group repeated records of the same source within each side. They do not measure evidence strength or source independence.

Is it true that Gratitude journaling reduces depressive symptoms?

Unclear. The retrieved evidence consistently points in the direction of gratitude being associated with lower depressive symptoms, but it is partial: a small quasi-experimental study of 10 Indonesian students found reduced PHQ-9 scores after a week of gratitude journaling, while other items are cross-sectional associations, pilot studies in recovery populations, or multi-component interventions that bundle gratitude journaling with other exercises. No item provides a large, well-controlled trial isolating gratitude journaling's effect on depressive symptoms in a general population.

Verdict: PARTIAL LEAN · 9 sources for, 0 against · Last checked

The private library was unavailable for some searches in this check. Missing library results are not evidence against the claim.

Evidence for · 9
Gratitude journal
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Gratitude journal. (n.d.). en.wikipedia.org. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gratitude_journal

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More for · 8
Gratitude
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Gratitude. (n.d.). en.wikipedia.org. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gratitude

The Effect of Gratitude Journaling on Depressive Symptoms among University Students
2025
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Dewanto, A. C. (2025). The Effect of Gratitude Journaling on Depressive Symptoms among University Students. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.57250/ajup.v5i3.1951

The Influence of Gratitude on Depressive Symptoms among Chinese College Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Moderating Effect of Psychological Capital
2023
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Yun, L., Yuting, D., Tangsheng, M., & Yan, J. (2023). The Influence of Gratitude on Depressive Symptoms among Chinese College Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Moderating Effect of Psychological Capital. eric.ed.gov. https://doi.org/10.1002/pits.22867

Exploring Gratitude Journaling in 12-Step Recovery: Effects on Attitudes, Affect, and Cravings: A Pilot Study
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Doyle, S. E. H. (n.d.). Exploring Gratitude Journaling in 12-Step Recovery: Effects on Attitudes, Affect, and Cravings: A Pilot Study. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.5642/cguetd.cfav1996

The Predictive Value of Virtue: Many Virtues Predict Lower Depression and Anxiety Symptom Scores among College Students…But Gratitude Dominates
2024
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Greenway, T. S., Ming, M. S., Ratchford, J. L., Glanzer, P. L., Dougherty, K. D., & Schnitker, S. A. (2024). The Predictive Value of Virtue: Many Virtues Predict Lower Depression and Anxiety Symptom Scores among College Students…But Gratitude Dominates. eric.ed.gov. https://doi.org/10.1080/2194587X.2024.2326228

Workplace interventions to improve well-being and reduce burnout for nurses, physicians and allied healthcare professionals: a systematic review
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Workplace interventions to improve well-being and reduce burnout for nurses, physicians and allied healthcare professionals: a systematic review. (n.d.). cir.nii.ac.jp. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2022-071203

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Additional records of the same source are shown below. They are not counted as additional sources.

Workplace interventions to improve well-being and reduce burnout for nurses, physicians and allied healthcare professionals: a systematic review.
2023
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Cohen, C., Pignata, S., Bezak, E., Tie, M., & Childs, J. (2023). Workplace interventions to improve well-being and reduce burnout for nurses, physicians and allied healthcare professionals: a systematic review.. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2022-071203

The role of gratitude and optimism interventions in reducing suicide risk and enhancing wellbeing among university students.
2026
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N, S., ERS, I., LMS, R., LP, C., & BM, K. (2026). The role of gratitude and optimism interventions in reducing suicide risk and enhancing wellbeing among university students.. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-026-04274-2

Association between gratitude, the brain and cognitive function in older adults: Results from the NEIGE study
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Association between gratitude, the brain and cognitive function in older adults: Results from the NEIGE study. (n.d.). cir.nii.ac.jp. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.archger.2022.104645

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