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Association of Gratitude With Individual and Organizational Outcomes Among Volunteers: An Application of Broaden-and-Build Theory of Positive Emotions

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Listed:
  • Hongcui Yang
  • Chuqiao Liang
  • Yue Liang
  • Ying Yang
  • Peilian Chi
  • Xianglong Zeng
  • Qinglu Wu

Abstract

By applying the broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions to the context of volunteering, we investigated how gratitude is associated with individual (subjective well-being) and organizational (volunteer retention) outcomes through the positive thought–action repertoires of prosocial motivation and volunteer engagement. The data of 924 Chinese volunteers (mean age = 35.7 ± 9.1 years, 26.2% males) from voluntary organizations were collected through an online survey. The indirect effects of gratitude on subjective well-being and retention were analyzed through structural equation modeling performed using Mplus. Gratitude was revealed to be associated with subjective well-being and retention through indirect pathways involving (a) prosocial motivation, (b) volunteer engagement, and (c) a sequential pathway from prosocial motivation to volunteer engagement. Our findings indicate that grateful volunteers tend to exhibit increased intention to help others and actively devote themselves to volunteering, which can contribute to personal and organizational resources.

Suggested Citation

  • Hongcui Yang & Chuqiao Liang & Yue Liang & Ying Yang & Peilian Chi & Xianglong Zeng & Qinglu Wu, 2023. "Association of Gratitude With Individual and Organizational Outcomes Among Volunteers: An Application of Broaden-and-Build Theory of Positive Emotions," SAGE Open, , vol. 13(4), pages 21582440231, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:sagope:v:13:y:2023:i:4:p:21582440231210372
    DOI: 10.1177/21582440231210372
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Madrigal, Robert, 2020. "The role of identification and gratitude in motivating organization-serving intentions and behaviors," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 116(C), pages 75-84.
    2. Yanhui Xiang & Rong Yuan, 2021. "Why Do People with High Dispositional Gratitude Tend to Experience High Life Satisfaction? A Broaden-and-Build Theory Perspective," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 22(6), pages 2485-2498, August.
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    4. Yan Kwok & Wing Chui & Lok Wong, 2013. "Need Satisfaction Mechanism Linking Volunteer Motivation and Life Satisfaction: A Mediation Study of Volunteers Subjective Well-Being," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 114(3), pages 1315-1329, December.
    5. Naval Garg & Shilpika Gera & B. K. Punia, 2021. "Gratitude and Turnover Intention in E-Commerce Startups: Investigating the Mediating Role of Organizational Citizenship Behaviour," Journal of Electronic Commerce in Organizations (JECO), IGI Global, vol. 19(2), pages 34-54, April.
    6. Lili Tian & Shuya Chu & E. Scott Huebner, 2016. "The Chain of Relationships Among Gratitude, Prosocial Behavior and Elementary School Students’ School Satisfaction: The Role of School Affect," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 9(2), pages 515-532, June.
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