title: Feasibility, Acceptability, and Impact of a Web-based Gratitude Exercise among Individuals in Outpatient Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder.
abstract: This mixed-methods pilot study examined the feasibility, acceptability, and impact of a web-based gratitude exercise (the 'Three Good Things' exercise (TGT)) among 23 adults in outpatient treatment for alcohol use disorder (AUD). Participants were randomized to TGT or a placebo condition. The intervention was feasible with high rates of completion. Participants found TGT acceptable and welcomed the structure of daily emails; however, they found it difficult at times and discontinued TGT when the study ended. Participants associated TGT with gratitude, although there were no observed changes in grateful disposition over time. TGT had a significant effect on decreasing negative affect and increasing unactivated (e.g., feeling calm, at ease) positive affect, although there were no differences between groups at the 8 week follow up. Qualitative results converged on quantitative findings that TGT was convenient, feasible, and acceptable, and additionally suggested that TGT was beneficial for engendering positive cognitions and reinforcing recovery.
authors.affiliation: University of Minnesota School of Social Work, 1404 Gortner Avenue, St. Paul, MN, USA, 55108; University of Michigan Addiction Research Center, 4250 Plymouth Rd, Ann Arbor, MI, USA, 48109.
authors.forename: Amy R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Krentzman
authors.affiliation: University of Michigan Addiction Research Center, 4250 Plymouth Rd, Ann Arbor, MI, USA, 48109.
authors.forename: Kristin A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Mannella
authors.affiliation: University of Michigan, Department of Anesthesiology, Chronic Pain and Fatigue Research Center, 24 Frank Lloyd Wright Drive, Ann Arbor Charter Township, MI, USA, 48105.
authors.forename: Afton L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Hassett
authors.affiliation: Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies and Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Brown University, 121 South Main Street, Providence, RI, USA, 02903.
authors.forename: Nancy P
authors.initials: NP
authors.lastname: Barnett
authors.affiliation: University of Michigan Addiction Research Center, 4250 Plymouth Rd, Ann Arbor, MI, USA, 48109.
authors.forename: James A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Cranford
authors.affiliation: University of Michigan Addiction Research Center, 4250 Plymouth Rd, Ann Arbor, MI, USA, 48109.
authors.forename: Kirk J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Brower
authors.affiliation: University of Minnesota School of Social Work, 1404 Gortner Avenue, St. Paul, MN, USA, 55108.
authors.forename: Margaret M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Higgins
authors.affiliation: Minnesota Center for Mental Health, University of Minnesota School of Social Work, 1404 Gortner Avenue, St. Paul, MN, USA, 55108.
authors.forename: Piper S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Meyer
keywords: Alcohol use disorder; Gratitude; Positive and negative affect; Three Good Things exercise; Web-based intervention