The Impact of Response Expectancy on the Efficacy of the Counting Blessings Intervention: Examining the Moderating Role of Optimism

Abstract Introduction: This study addresses a knowledge gap concerning the underlying mechanisms responsible for the efficacy of gratitude interventions. Specifically, we investigated how various response expectancies (positive, negative, and no manipulated expectancies) impact the effectiveness of the "counting blessings" intervention in influencing positive and negative emotions. Additionally, we explored the interaction between optimism levels (high, medium, and low) and these expectancies in the efficacy of the intervention. Method: A total of 142 participants underwent the counting blessings intervention for seven consecutive days, and 111 of them participated in a follow-up assessment one month later. Results: While no significant interaction was found between experimental conditions (Positive Condition, Negative Condition, Control Condition) and time regarding emotional outcomes, moderation analysis revealed differential interactions between optimism levels and expectancies, particularly influencing positive emotions. For participants with low optimism, positive emotions significantly increased from post-intervention to follow-up in the Positive Condition and from pre-intervention to post-intervention in the Negative Condition. Participants with medium optimism experienced an increase in positive emotions across all conditions from pre-intervention to follow-up and from post-intervention to follow-up. High optimism participants showed an increase in positive emotions from pre-intervention to follow-up and post-intervention to follow-up in the Positive and Control Conditions. Conclusions: Our findings emphasize the effectiveness of a brief gratitude journal and underscore the nuanced role of response expectancy, especially in interaction with the initial level of optimism, in enhancing positive emotions. These results hold significance for both theoretical understanding and clinical applications. Key Words: Response expectancy, Gratitude intervention, Positive Emotion, Negative Emotion, Optimism, RCT