Author: Saiba Ahmad
Supervisor: Dr. Numana Amjad
Degree: M.Sc
Year: 2005-2007
University: Institute of Applied Psychology, Punjab University, Lahore, Pakistan
Abstract
The present study argued that well being correlates with gratitude, also it facilitates the positive feeling of gratitude. Well being as operationalized by happiness, satisfaction with life and positive relationships, enhances one’s quality of life and is believed to bring about positive emotions, where gratitude is largely celebrated as a positive emotion, disposition and also a virtue. Although it has been demonstrated that gratitude itself enhances well-being, the aim of the present study was to examine how much role well-being plays in predicting gratitude. In addition, the unique element of religious gratitude has made the study distinctive of previous work on gratitude and well being. For this purpose the religious gratitude scale was developed (coefficient alpha .73). In the study 120 participants (58 male, 62 female) completed a set of 5 measures each, including 3 measures of well-being (happiness 8-items, SWL 5-items, and positive relationships 14-items) and 2 measures of gratitude (gratitude 6-items, and religious gratitude 7-items). According to Pearson correlation analysis, well-being significantly correlated with both measures of gratitude (range, r .46 to .32). Further a stepwise series of regression analysis showed that life satisfaction and positive relationships both predict gratitude. Happiness and life satisfaction both predicted religious gratitude. Further Life satisfaction and positive relationships both predicted happiness as well. Moreover interestingly, gratitude strongly predicted religious gratitude, indicating that people who are grateful towards other people are also grateful towards God. The findings could be applied in clinical settings and workplace.
Keywords: Gratitude, Well being, Life satisfaction, Positive Emotion, Disposition, Virtue
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Corresponding Address: Department of Applied Psychology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan. Email: chairperson@appsy.pu.edu.pk, Phone: 92-42-9231245
