Gratitude journaling experiences of adults who participated in a 20-day clinical intervention to mitigate stress, anxiety and depression in the Covid-19 pandemic era in Zimbabwe

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic which was first reported in 2019 in Wuhan, China brought about devastating conditions and eventually ballooned into a global pandemic. Some of the devastating consequences of Covid-19 included loss of lives, closure of businesses, job cuts coupled with on-going daily life challenges. In this dark hour brought about by Covid-19, the health of people became top priority and their mental health a cause for concern. This study sought to investigate the experiences of a Zimbabwean sample that participated in a 20-day gratitude journaling intervention with a clinical psychologist to mitigate stress, anxiety and depression in the Covid-19 pandemic era. A purposive sampling of forty-two men and women (age range 20 to 40) who at one point requested the services of a clinical psychologist was done. Participant selection was not necessarily based on diagnosis. Qualitative questionnaires, in-depth interviews and WhatsApp group discussions were used to collect data. Data were grouped into themes and analysed using content analysis. Participants reported improved sleep, positive coping, reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression, strengthening of social relationships, improved physical health and, psychological health, heightened empathy, and an increase in happiness and creativity. Gratitude journalizing is an important intervention for people grappling with a myriad of psychological problems and/or uncertainties brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic.