A Qualitative Exploration of Gratitude-Based Practices in Promoting Well-being among University Students in Islamabad

The objective of this qualitative study is to study the impact of gratitude-based journaling and meditation on the well-being of university students. It is quasi-experimental research in which a seven-day self-guided gratitude-based intervention was administered to university students. The sample consisted of 27 university students who participated in a semi-structured gratitude-based intervention. The seven-day self-guided intervention was delivered through WhatsApp, where participants engaged in daily gratitude journaling and meditation activities. The thematic analysis identified common expressions of gratitude among participants for their health, family, ability to meet basic needs, education, and personal skills such as reading, writing, and creativity. Following the self-guided meditation, significant emotional improvements were reported including increased feelings of calmness, relaxation, and energy compared to initial feelings of anxiety, tiredness, and stress. By the end of the intervention, participants reported heightened awareness of their blessings, a deeper sense of gratitude towards a higher power, and a greater inclination towards acts of kindness towards others. All participants experienced heightened positive emotions and overall enhancement in emotional well-being. The gratitude-based journaling and meditation intervention was successful in promoting positive emotions among university students. The practice of expressing gratitude together with meditating on it increased participants' awareness of their blessings and fostered a more positive outlook on life. However, limitations such as lack of a control group, only reliance on self-report, and short intervention duration highlight the need for future research to study long term effects.