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Gratitude and Subjective Wellbeing: A Proposal of Two Causal Frameworks

Author

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  • Anna Alkozei

    (University of Arizona)

  • Ryan Smith

    (University of Arizona)

  • William D. S. Killgore

    (University of Arizona
    Harvard Medical School)

Abstract

Gratitude, the experience of appreciating the positive aspects in life, has been associated with increased subjective wellbeing (SWB). This paper proposes two causal frameworks (i.e., a cognitive and a psycho-social framework) that highlight the possible mechanisms by which gratitude influences SWB. This paper provides support for these two frameworks by reviewing research conducted to date on the relationship between the experience of gratitude and SWB, in terms of reduced symptoms of psychopathology, better interpersonal relationships, and improved physical health. In addition, the promising potential of gratitude interventions to improve SWB in healthy individuals and those with symptoms of psychopathology are reviewed. While gratitude interventions represent a relatively new approach, the limited evidence suggests that they may eventually provide an effective form of intervention that can be used to complement current therapy aprroaches for improving SWB. Therefore its potential application in clinical populations and the underlying mechanisms that might be driving the positive effects of gratitude interventions in improving SWB deserve further research attention.

Suggested Citation

  • Anna Alkozei & Ryan Smith & William D. S. Killgore, 2018. "Gratitude and Subjective Wellbeing: A Proposal of Two Causal Frameworks," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 19(5), pages 1519-1542, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jhappi:v:19:y:2018:i:5:d:10.1007_s10902-017-9870-1
    DOI: 10.1007/s10902-017-9870-1
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Chiara Ruini & Francesca Vescovelli, 2013. "The Role of Gratitude in Breast Cancer: Its Relationships with Post-traumatic Growth, Psychological Well-Being and Distress," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 14(1), pages 263-274, March.
    2. Yen-Ping Chang & Tsui-Shan Li & Hao Teng & Antonia Berki & Lung Chen, 2013. "Living with Gratitude: Spouse’s Gratitude on One’s Depression," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 14(4), pages 1431-1442, August.
    3. Steven Toepfer & Kelly Cichy & Patti Peters, 2012. "Letters of Gratitude: Further Evidence for Author Benefits," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 13(1), pages 187-201, March.
    4. Geraghty, Adam W.A. & Wood, Alex M. & Hyland, Michael E., 2010. "Attrition from self-directed interventions: Investigating the relationship between psychological predictors, intervention content and dropout from a body dissatisfaction intervention," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 71(1), pages 30-37, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. Marianne Simons & Johan Lataster & Sanne Peeters & Jennifer Reijnders & Mayke Janssens & Nele Jacobs, 2020. "Sense of Abundance is Associated with Momentary Positive and Negative Affect: An Experience Sampling Study of Trait Gratitude in Daily Life," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 21(6), pages 2229-2236, August.
    2. Dr. Umbreen Khizar & Dr. Dawood Nawaz & Mehak Haroon & Husni Mubarak, 2021. "Moderating Role of Social Connectedness on Forgiveness and Subjective Happiness Among Adults," iRASD Journal of Economics, International Research Alliance for Sustainable Development (iRASD), vol. 3(3), pages 240-250, December.
    3. Kaynat Jawed & Danish Ahmed Siddiqui, 2020. "Gratitude Inhibiting Personality Traits, Employees Social Cognition and Well-Being: Evidence from Pakistan," International Journal of Human Resource Studies, Macrothink Institute, vol. 10(1), pages 132-132, December.
    4. Japutra, Arnold & Septianto, Felix & Can, Ali Selcuk, 2022. "Feeling grateful versus happy? The effects of emotional appeals in advertisements on self-made products," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 69(C).
    5. Valentina Reyes & Wenceslao Unanue & Marcos Gómez & Diego Bravo & Jesús Unanue & Claudio Araya-Veliz & Diego Cortez, 2022. "Dispositional Gratitude as an Underlying Psychological Process Between Materialism and the Satisfaction and Frustration of Basic Psychological Needs: A Longitudinal Mediational Analysis," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 23(2), pages 561-586, February.
    6. Erin M. Fekete & Nathan T. Deichert, 2022. "A Brief Gratitude Writing Intervention Decreased Stress and Negative Affect During the COVID-19 Pandemic," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 23(6), pages 2427-2448, August.
    7. Lia-Ecaterina Oltean & Andrei C. Miu & Radu Șoflău & Aurora Szentágotai-Tătar, 2022. "Tailoring Gratitude Interventions. How and for Whom Do They Work? The Potential Mediating Role of Reward Processing and the Moderating Role of Childhood Adversity and Trait Gratitude," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 23(6), pages 3007-3030, August.
    8. Jesús Unanue & Xavier Oriol & Juan Carlos Oyanedel & Andrés Rubio & Wenceslao Unanue, 2021. "Gratitude at Work Prospectively Predicts Lower Workplace Materialism: A Three-Wave Longitudinal Study in Chile," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(7), pages 1-17, April.
    9. Sylvia Y. C. L. Kwok & Minmin Gu & Nelson W. Y. Tam, 2022. "A Multiple Component Positive Psychology Intervention to Reduce Anxiety and Increase Happiness in Adolescents: The Mediating Roles of Gratitude and Emotional Intelligence," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 23(5), pages 2039-2058, June.

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