# Can promoting compassion and gratitude through a four-week online training program improve women's mental health? A randomized controlled trial

## TL;DR

A four-week online program promoting compassion and gratitude improved women's mental health, showing promise for digital mental well-being interventions.

## Contribution

This study introduces a self-directed online training program that effectively enhances compassion and gratitude in women.

## Key findings

- Participants in the experimental group showed significant improvements in compassion and gratitude skills.
- A strong positive correlation was found between compassion and gratitude levels.
- The program suggests potential for improving mental well-being through digital interventions.

## Abstract

The period following the pandemic has witnessed a surge in depression, distress, and anxiety, alongside a rise in digitalization. This has underscored the necessity of finding alternatives to in-person interventions for mental well-being. According to positive psychology, compassion and gratitude can alleviate anxiety and depression. This pilot study investigates the impact of a four-week self-directed online training program that emphasizes compassion and gratitude as essential components of women's psychological well-being.

For this randomized controlled trial, a sample of 51 women aged between 21 and 39 years was selected. The experimental group (n = 26) underwent a four-week training program on compassion and gratitude, which included psychoeducation, compassion exercises, and journaling. The control group was a waitlist control group (n = 25). Participants' levels of compassion and gratitude were assessed before and after the four-week program using standardized self-report surveys. The German Self-Compassion Scale (SCS-G) and the German Multi-Component Gratitude Measure (MCGM-G) were utilized to examine the differences between the experimental group and the waitlist control group over time, a repeated measures ANOVA was conducted.

The study shows that participants in the experimental group experienced a significant improvement in both compassion and gratitude skills. Furthermore, there was a strong positive correlation between compassion and gratitude.

The findings of the pilot study suggest that a brief self-directed online program aimed at cultivating compassion and gratitude can enhance factors that are crucial to women's mental well-being. Further research is necessary to examine the long-term effects of these interventions and their suitability for diverse demographics.

The trail was registered 23.12.2022 at German Clinical Trails Registre. Registration ID: DRKS00030973.