What does this research mean for the field?

Using AI to assist in writing gratitude letters maintains the psychological and relational benefits for the sender while producing messages that readers perceive as more authentic than human-written ones. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.NOVEL_FINDING. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To assess whether generative artificial intelligence can assist individuals in composing gratitude letters while preserving the subjective well-being and relational benefits of the positive intervention.

August 23, 2026Technology Mind and BehaviorOpen Access

Leveraging AI tools to express gratitude.

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To assess whether generative artificial intelligence can assist individuals in composing gratitude letters while preserving the subjective well-being and relational benefits of the positive intervention.
In Study 1, participants (N = 246) were randomly assigned to complete either a standard human-written gratitude letter task or an AI-modified gratitude letter task, with pre- and post-task well-being evaluated in a subset (n = 115).
In Study 2, independent third-party evaluators (N = 522) read and rated the perceived authenticity and authorship origin of AI-generated versus human-generated gratitude letters.
Study 1 showed no statistically significant differences in self-reported gratitude, subjective well-being, or relational closeness between participants in the AI-assisted and human-written conditions, with both groups achieving increases in well-being from baseline.
Study 2 demonstrated that third-party evaluators rated AI-generated gratitude letters as significantly more authentic than human-written letters and frequently judged AI-generated letters to have been authored by humans.

Authors

SHSamantha J. HeintzelmanRutgers, The State University of New Jersey GPGrace PearceSmith College

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Implication

Randomized trial reveals that AI-assisted gratitude letters maintain psychological well-being and relational closeness, suggesting AI can reduce task burden without losing emotional efficacy.

Cite This Study

Heintzelman et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a8aad667677a341144458aa https://doi.org/10.1037/tmb0000204

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Implication

Randomized trial reveals that AI-assisted gratitude letters maintain psychological well-being and relational closeness, suggesting AI can reduce task burden without losing emotional efficacy.

Leveraging AI tools to express gratitude.

Key Points

Discussion

Implication

Cite This Study

Leveraging AI tools to express gratitude.

Key Points

Discussion

Implication

Cite This Study