Happy family kitchen : evaluating a gratitude intervention to promote family communication

Abstract

In Hong Kong family communication is inadequate due to a work-focused and busy life style and a dearth of communication skills among family members. Positive family communication is essential to enhance understanding and facilitate expression of care and concern among family members. Happy Family Kitchen, a family-based intervention program was implemented to enhance family communication among Chinese families in a district in Hong Kong.

The study was in an explanatory sequential design with two phases. The first phase was a longitudinal pre-post one-group study aimed at examining whether gratitude expression practice among family members would improve family communication and strengthen family health, happiness and harmony (3Hs) in a Chinese community. The second phase was a qualitative study in the form of focus group interviews to understand the participants’ experiences in gratitude expression practice in family communication. With the collaboration of local community partners, a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach was adopted to develop a culturally informed intervention.

In the quantitative study, 330 eligible families were recruited to participate in a gratitude expression practice intervention. Data from self-administered questionnaires were collected at baseline, 6 weeks and 3 months after the first intervention session. Results showed more frequent expressions of thankfulness and appreciation and less frequent criticism among family members were independently associated with improvement in family communication scores by 1.39 points [95% CI: 0.34-2.43], 1.51 points [95% CI: 0.30-2.72] and 0.92 points [95% CI: 0.21-1.64] respectively. Family 3Hs were enhanced while family communication improved.

In the second phase qualitative study, thirteen focus group interviews using a semistructured interview guide were conducted in mid 2011. The interviews focused on the impact of change, facilitators and barriers in family communication after gratitude expression practice performed by the participants. Thematic content analysis revealed gratitude expression practice during cooking and dining could engage family members to initiate communication. Family communication and family harmony were improved by expressing more gratitude. More connectedness, happiness, appreciation and respect were noted and family members’ behaviours to reduce risks of mothering burnout were reported. The identified challenges to gratitude expression practice included a lack of gratitude expression experience among family members and the influence of Chinese cultural beliefs on gratitude expression practice.

The findings of present study suggest that through a CBPR approach gratitude expression practice seems to enhance family interconnectedness and improve family communication. Findings dissemination to the community was discussed. The benefits of community-academic partnership and encountered challenges were examined. Further suggestions on research through CBPR approach were proposed.