Effects of a gratitude intervention on job engagement among newly recruited nurses: A randomized clinical trial

BackgroundGratitude at work is defined as the tendency to notice and appreciate aspects of work, how it affects one's life. Studies show that gratitude education can alleviate individual burnout and increase the ability to resist pressure, but it is not clear whether gratitude intervention can improve individual job involvement.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study is to determine whether gratitude intervention can reduce stress, job burnout and enhance job involvement of new nurses.MethodsA randomized controlled trial was conducted from September 2020 to September 2021. A total of 118 new nurses in China were randomly divided into gratitude group and control group by random number table method. The control group received routine training for new nurses, and the intervention group received, in addition, a gratitude intervention for 2 months. The primary outcome measure was the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale-9 score (UWES-9). Secondary outcome indicators were Gratitude Questionnaire score (GQ-6), The Perceived Stress Scale score (PSS), and Maslach Burnout Inventory score (MBI). This study was reported using the CONSORT checklist.ResultsA total of 118 new nurses were included. The scores of UWES-9 scale of the gratitude group were significantly higher than those in the control group immediately after intervention, 3 months and 6 months after intervention, as the main observation index. Among the secondary outcome indicators, GQ-6 and MBI Personal Accompli-shment scores in the gratitude group were significantly higher than those in the control group immediately after intervention and 3 months after intervention. The PSS, MBI-Emotional Exhaustion and Depersonalization scores in the gratitude group were significantly lower than those in the control group immediately after intervention, 3 months and 6 months after intervention.ConclusionsGratitude intervention can effectively improve the level of job involvement and gratitude, reduce stress and burnout of new nurses. However, this was a relatively short follow-up period. Further studies are needed to assess the long-term effects for new nurses.