Gratitude interventions reduce cyber-aggression in adolescents: gender and disposition effects

The study explores the impact of gender and gratitude disposition on the effectiveness of a classroom-based gratitude intervention aimed at reducing cyber-aggression among Polish adolescents. Cyber-aggression, linked to maladjustment and mental health issues like depression and anxiety, is a growing concern. The intervention involved 548 students, divided into a control group (399) and an experimental group (149), and lasted for seven days. Participants completed the Cyber-aggression Types Questionnaire (CATQ) and a Gratitude Questionnaire. Results showed the intervention effectively reduced overall cyber-aggression, particularly aversive controlled types, but increased appetitive impulsive aggression. Girls responded better to the gratitude exercises, and those with lower gratitude levels saw the most significant reduction in cyber-aggression. However, students with medium levels of gratitude showed increased impulsive and controlled appetitive cyber-aggression. The study concludes that gender and gratitude disposition influence the success of gratitude interventions in reducing cyber-aggression.