Using Gratitude to Promote Sport Injury–Related Growth

Abstract

This study explored the efficacy of a gratitude intervention (i.e., gratitude visit) to promote sport injury–related growth. Thirty participants were purposefully assigned to either the experimental or nontreatment control group. The intervention required injured athletes to write and share a gratitude letter with an intended recipient. Social validation interviews (N = 30) were conducted with the experimental group and recipients (e.g., parents, siblings, partners, physiotherapists). Findings revealed a significant difference between the experimental and control group over time for one growth dimension (i.e., relating to others). Other growth dimensions were nonsignificant. Findings illustrate the importance of aligning interventions with growth dimensions.