Connected Words, Shared Journeys: Understanding the Motivations, Practices, and Experiences of Individual and Collaborative Gratitude Journalling Users
Type
conference paper
Date Issued
2026-03-01
Author(s)
Abstract
Gratitude journalling (GJ) has become a popular tool for improving mental health and wellbeing. Mobile applications now facilitate such practices by offering prompts, reminders, and ways to document positive experiences. Some go further by introducing collaborative journalling, allowing users to share and reflect together. However, little is known about why users engage in or avoid such shared reflective practices, how they integrate them into daily life, and what impacts emerge. Through interviews with 14 Resilyou users, seven individual and seven collaborative, we explored their motivations, practices, and the dynamics of collaboration. Our findings show that collaborative users were motivated by social connection and mutual encouragement, which sustained their GJ through shared commitment and accountability. However, this reciprocity was double-edged, introducing emotional tension and the need to negotiate boundaries. We propose designing for reflective conversation by supporting users' relational rhythms and fostering mutual empowerment rather than providing system-driven prompts.
Keywords
user interviews
gratitude journalling
journalling
collaboration
reflection
self-reflection
HSG Classification
contribution to practical use / society
Refereed
Yes
Subject(s)
Division(s)
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Name
alpchi2026-5.pdf
Size
2.55 MB
Format
Adobe PDF
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