The Effects of the Fourfold Grace-based Gratitude Education Program for University Students

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to verify the effects of the Won-Buddhism’s Fourfold Grace- based gratitude education program on university students’ gratitude, self-esteem, and care. In order to do that, the Won-Buddhism’s Fourfold Grace and the effects of gratitude were studied through theoretical backgrounds, and empirical studies were conducted to verify the Fourfold Grace-based gratitude education program. The study subjects were 41 university students (experimental group 21, control group 20), and non-parametric tests were performed for statistical estimation suitable for small sample size. As a result of applying the program for 16 weeks, pre-post analysis showed that the experimental group was significantly improved gratitude, self-esteem, and care compared to the control group. Based on the above results, implications and suggestions of this study were discussed.