--- title: "The Listen Leon study: the measured effects of recognition" description: "Independent peer-reviewed study in the Journal of Happiness Studies: 112 employees, 4 weeks. Measured effects on strengths use, motivation and well-being." image: https://www.listenleon.com/hubfs/og-en-our-study.png --- [![Listen Leon](https://www.listenleon.com/hs-fs/hubfs/listen-leon-logo-header.png?width=360&height=85&name=listen-leon-logo-header.png)](https://www.listenleon.com/home) Products ▼ [360° Recognition platformThe wall of gratitude, all year long](https://www.listenleon.com/platform) [Positive Team ChallengeBig moments and events](https://www.listenleon.com/positive-team-challenge) [Trust BuilderTrust within the team](https://www.listenleon.com/trust-builder) [Recognition trainingThe foundation, culture-building](https://www.listenleon.com/training) Solutions ▼ [Companies](https://www.listenleon.com/companies)[Healthcare, hospitals & nursing homes](https://www.listenleon.com/healthcare) [Local government](https://www.listenleon.com/local-government)[Education](https://www.listenleon.com/education)[Emergency services](https://www.listenleon.com/emergency-services)[Higher education](https://www.listenleon.com/higher-education)[Public sector](https://www.listenleon.com/public-sector)[Retail](https://www.listenleon.com/retail) Resources ▼ [Case studies & testimonials](https://www.listenleon.com/case-studies)[In the media](https://www.listenleon.com/press) [Our scientific research](https://www.listenleon.com/science-of-recognition) [About](https://www.listenleon.com/about) [Blog](https://www.listenleon.com/en/recognition) [Contact](https://www.listenleon.com/contact) Guides ▼ [The science of recognition](https://www.listenleon.com/science-of-recognition) [Team cohesion](https://www.listenleon.com/team-cohesion)[96 recognition messages](https://www.listenleon.com/recognition-message-examples) [Recognition in healthcare](https://www.listenleon.com/healthcare)[Recognition tool](https://www.listenleon.com/recognition-tool)[Cost of absenteeism and resignations](https://www.listenleon.com/cost-of-absenteeism-and-resignations) [Request a demo](https://www.listenleon.com/contact) [FR](https://www.listenleon.com/fr/notre-etude)EN [Request a demo](https://www.listenleon.com/contact) ![Recognition at work, proven by science](https://www.listenleon.com/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/atlas-theme%20child/images/site/hero.jpg?width=1100&height=1366&name=hero.jpg) 🙏 Thanks received“Thank you for listening during this busy stretch, it did me good.” 💌 Thanks sent“Well done for your rigor on the study, we can always count on you 💪” Backed by science # Recognition truly changes things Listen Leon is not based on a hunch. An independent, peer-reviewed study measured concrete effects over four weeks on strengths use, motivation, job satisfaction and well-being. [Book a demo](https://www.listenleon.com/contact) [See the study](https://www.listenleon.com/our-study#study) Published in the Journal of Happiness Studies (2022). Over 500,000 thank-you messages already exchanged on the platform. ![Two colleagues talking at work](https://www.listenleon.com/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/atlas-theme%20child/images/site/hero.jpg?width=1100&height=1366&name=hero.jpg) 🙏 Thanks received“Thank you for listening, it did me good.” The study ## An independent, peer-reviewed study Researchers from UQAM (Montreal) and Lund University (Sweden) tested the Listen Leon app in real conditions. 112 full-time employees used it for four weeks. Their results were compared with a control group of 54 people who did not use it. The method combines two measurements over time and a comparison group. That is what links the progress to app usage, and not to chance. Gradito Dubord, M.-A., Forest, J., Balciunaite, L. M., Rauen, E., & Jungert, T. (2022). The power of strength-oriented feedback enlightened by self-determination theory: a positive technology-based intervention. *Journal of Happiness Studies*, 23(6), 2827-2848. [Read the full study (DOI)](https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-022-00524-3) The results ## What the study measured After four weeks, the group using Listen Leon improved significantly on four dimensions. Effect sizes range from moderate to strong. d = 0.69 ### Strengths use Employees draw on their strengths more at work. This is the study's strongest effect. d = 0.64 ### Autonomous motivation Acting out of interest and values, rather than pressure or obligation. d = 0.61 ### Psychological well-being More meaning, self-acceptance and forward-looking plans. d = 0.57 ### Need satisfaction Feeling more competent, more autonomous and better connected to the team. d is Cohen's effect size. Around 0.5 the effect is medium, above 0.8 it is large. All four increases are statistically significant. In full transparency: the study found no effect on need frustration or controlled motivation. We say so too. Why it works ## Self-determination theory Recognition feeds three basic psychological needs. When they are met, motivation becomes more autonomous, and well-being follows. ### Relatedness Feeling recognized strengthens the bond with the team and the sense of belonging. ### Autonomy Choosing when and how to say thank you nurtures the freedom to act. ### Competence Getting precise feedback on your strengths helps you feel effective and in the right place. **The study confirms the sequence.** More need satisfaction leads to more autonomous motivation (statistical link of 0.64), which in turn raises well-being (0.54). Watch ## The research explained The power of positive feedback The research explained by Jacques Forest In the field ## From scientific proof to field proof "Thanks to Listen Leon, our neonatal unit at Hopital Nord in Marseille receives weekly messages from families that remind us of the deep meaning of our work. Listen Leon creates a precious bond between caregivers and patients that fuels our commitment." Prof. Barthelemy ToselloAP-HM, Hopital Nord, Marseille, neonatal unit 10% family participation 249 characters per message on average +13 pts team eNPS +24% of caregivers feel sufficiently recognized The scientific committee ## The researchers behind the study JF **Jacques Forest, PhD** ESG UQAM MG **Marc-Antoine Gradito Dubord, PhD** UQAM TJ **Tomas Jungert, PhD** Lund University LB **Lina Marija Balciunaite, MSc** Lund University ER **Evamaria Rauen, MSc** Lund University What's next ## Our next research directions - ### Recognition in healthcare Replication in healthcare facilities, with recognition expressed by patients and families. - ### Randomized study A randomized controlled protocol to further strengthen the results. - ### Objective HR data Adding concrete measures: absenteeism and turnover, on top of questionnaires. - ### Long-term follow-up A longitudinal follow-up at 3, 6 and 12 months to observe long-term effects. FAQ ## The science, made simple Is the study really independent? Yes. It was conducted by researchers from UQAM and Lund University, then published in a peer-reviewed journal, the Journal of Happiness Studies. How many people took part? 112 full-time employees used the app for four weeks. Their results were compared with a control group of 54 people. What exactly does the study measure? Four dimensions: strengths use, satisfaction of psychological needs, autonomous motivation and psychological well-being. Are the effects large? Effect sizes range from moderate to strong (d from 0.57 to 0.69), and all four increases are statistically significant. Do these results hold in the field? Yes. At Hopital Nord in Marseille, the team's eNPS rose by 13 points and the feeling of receiving enough recognition by 24%. Can I read the full study? Yes. It is published in the Journal of Happiness Studies (2022) and available via its DOI at the top of this page. ## Proof first, then practice Let's look at how to bring recognition to your teams. [Book a demo](https://www.listenleon.com/contact) Listen Leon Recognition for all and by all. #### Products [360° Platform](https://www.listenleon.com/platform)[Positive Team Challenge](https://www.listenleon.com/positive-team-challenge)[Trust Builder](https://www.listenleon.com/trust-builder)[Training](https://www.listenleon.com/training) #### Solutions [Companies](https://www.listenleon.com/companies)[Healthcare, hospitals & nursing homes](https://www.listenleon.com/healthcare)[Local government](https://www.listenleon.com/local-government)[Education](https://www.listenleon.com/education)[Emergency services](https://www.listenleon.com/emergency-services)[Higher education](https://www.listenleon.com/higher-education)[Public sector](https://www.listenleon.com/public-sector)[Retail](https://www.listenleon.com/retail) #### Resources [Case studies & testimonials](https://www.listenleon.com/case-studies)[In the media](https://www.listenleon.com/press)[Our scientific research](https://www.listenleon.com/science-of-recognition)[About](https://www.listenleon.com/about)[Blog](https://www.listenleon.com/en/recognition)[Contact](https://www.listenleon.com/contact) #### Guides [Recognition at work](https://www.listenleon.com/recognition-at-work)[The lack of recognition](https://www.listenleon.com/lack-of-recognition)[Deploy a recognition program](https://www.listenleon.com/deploy-a-recognition-program)[The science of recognition](https://www.listenleon.com/science-of-recognition)[96 recognition messages](https://www.listenleon.com/recognition-message-examples)[Team cohesion](https://www.listenleon.com/team-cohesion)[Recognition in healthcare](https://www.listenleon.com/recognition-in-healthcare)[Recognition tool](https://www.listenleon.com/recognition-tool) [Cost of absenteeism and resignations](https://www.listenleon.com/cost-of-absenteeism-and-resignations) © 2026 Listen Leon, a POSITIVO brand. 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