Constructing An Islamic-Based Gratitude Training Program and the Investigating its Effectiveness on Life Satisfaction

This research aimed to construct and introduce a model of gratitude based on Islamic teachings and to study its effectiveness on life satisfaction. We hypothesized that higher levels of gratitude lead to higher levels of life satisfaction. After looking into Islamic sources and obtaining the components of gratitude, a 6-session training program was designed. 19 male and female undergraduate students from the University of Qoran and Hadith were selected and were divided into two groups of 7 and 12;they were interviewed and answered to  gratitude and life satisfaction scales.  The Group of 7 received the designed gratitude training program and the control group was put into the waiting list to receive the intervention later. Both groups were evaluated in three stages: pre-test, post-test, and follow-up. The instruments used in this study were McCullough and colleagues’ (2002) 6-item Gratitude Questionarie and the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS; Diner et al., 1985). Analysis of Variance was used to compare the two groups. Results showed that participants in the intervention group have experienced significant increase in their levels of gratitude and life satisfaction, which were not found in control group at the pre-test and post-test stages .After 45 days, the increase was still there. Gratitude intervention and training program based on Islamic teachings have a significant effectiveness and can increase people’s levels of life satisfaction and gratitude.