Development and preliminary validation of the Existential Gratitude Scale (EGS)

Jans-Beken, Lilian; Wong, Paul T. P.

doi:10.1080/09515070.2019.1656054

Cited by 26 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…This instrument measures a set of attitudes and behaviors that include positive reframing of adversity, maintaining hope, existential courage, life appreciation, engagement in meaningful activities, and prosociality (see Eisenbeck et al, unpublished). Elements of this conceptualization of meaning-centered coping are well-studied, show strong relationships with both higher levels of well-being and decreased psychological distress (e.g., Nakamura and Csikzentmihalyi, 2003 ; Feldman and Snyder, 2005 ; Schueller and Seligman, 2010 ; Kleiman et al, 2013 ; Maddi, 2013 ; Van Tongeren et al, 2016 ; Klein, 2017 ; Jans-Beken and Wong, 2019 ) and are incorporated in the theory of PP2.0.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Meaning-Centered Coping in the Era of COVID-19: Direct and Moderating Effects on Depression, Anxiety, and Stress

2021

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The COVID-19 pandemic has subjected most of the world’s population to unprecedented situations, like national lockdowns, health hazards, social isolation and economic harm. Such a scenario calls for urgent measures not only to palliate it but also, to better cope with it. According to existential positive psychology, well-being does not simply represent a lack of stress and negative emotions but highlights their importance by incorporating an adaptive relationship with them. Thus, suffering can be mitigated (and transformed into growth) by, among other factors, adopting an attitude of positive reframing, maintaining hope, existential courage, life appreciation, engagement in meaningful activities, and prosociality. The conglomerate of these elements has been recently denominated as meaning-centered coping. In this study, we evaluated the protective role of this type of coping on mental health. A sample of 12,243 participants from 30 countries across all continents completed measures of Meaning-Centered Coping Scale (MCCS), depression, stress, anxiety and stressful COVID-19 related conditions they experienced. Results indicated that meaning-centered coping was strongly associated with diminished symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression. Moreover, it moderated various relationships between vulnerability factors and markers of psychological distress, especially in the case of depression. These findings call for attention to meaning-centered coping approaches in the context of hardship, such as the current COVID-19 health crisis. In these difficult times, decision-makers and health organizations may integrate these approaches into their guidelines.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Meaning-Centered Coping in the Era of COVID-19: Direct and Moderating Effects on Depression, Anxiety, and Stress

2021

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“…People can gain the most from a grateful perspective on life during a crisis ( Emmons, 2013 ; Frias et al, 2011 ). In a study by Jans-Beken and Wong (2019) the results showed that gratitude for good and adverse aspects – existential gratitude ( Jans-Beken and Wong, 2019 ) – predicted better well-being in people with symptoms of PTSD, while gratitude for only good aspects – trait gratitude – was not ( Jans-Beken and Wong, 2019 ). This shows that it is necessary for good mental health to accept and transform frustration, powerlessness, and hurt that one experiences into growth and thriving.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Perspective on Mature Gratitude as a Way of Coping With COVID-19

Jans-Beken¹

2021

Front. Psychol.

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Aim and MethodsThis perspective presents evidence of mature gratitude as a way of coping with the threats and boundaries of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This narrative, non-systematic review will be based on studies from the COVID-19 period in association with more general literature on the characteristics of mature gratitude related to good mental health.ResultsThe results from the literature suggest that a confrontation with our existential vulnerability during a pandemic is not only a crisis but also an opportunity to view our lives in a different way. Mature gratitude, as proposed in this perspective, can help us in coping with the threats and boundaries that are part of our lives due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This time of crisis gives us the opportunity to self-reflect on our current life and plans for the future and to reframe them through a positive lens which can encourage individuals to actively strengthen their psychological resilience and coping skills.ConclusionCultivating an attitude of mature gratitude through actions of kindness, expressing being thankful for life and God, and enjoying all the small things in life helps in coping with the current threats of COVID-19 and building lifelong resilience for the future. Knowledge about these associations can help psychologists, counselors, and coaches to support people who experience psychological issues due to the current pandemic and all crises to come.

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“…Illustrations of this vertical gratitude are cosmic gratitude 4 , gratitude to God, or spiritual gratitude that can be elicited by, for example, gratitude for ancestors or spirits, but also cultural expressions such as music or art, or an awareness of being part of something big such as the universe. The vertical, transcendent dimension of mature gratitude can assist the experience of the horizontal gratitude but it is not necessary 5 .…”

Section: Mature Gratitudementioning

confidence: 99%

“…One of these competencies can be mature gratitude because it plays a vital role in preventing people from experiencing depression, anger, and anxiety because of suffering. It teaches people a better and more adaptive way to embrace their hardship 5 . Suffering makes a better human being because of increased capacity for gratitude and other spiritual virtues 61 .…”

Section: Formentioning

confidence: 99%

Mature Gratitude in Positive Psychiatry

Jans-Beken¹

2021

Preprint

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This is a concept chapter for the upcoming book The Virtues in Psychiatric Practice published by the Oxford University Press and edited by dr. John R. Peteet. The chapter explains the concepts of gratitude and mature gratitude, and the fields of positive psychology 2.0 and positive psychiatry. Subsequently, the chapter discusses gratitude and well-being and gratitude and the clinical practice. This is complemented with four case studies: burnout, addiction, chronic pain and bereavement.

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Development and preliminary validation of the Existential Gratitude Scale (EGS)

Cited by 26 publications

References 30 publications

Meaning-Centered Coping in the Era of COVID-19: Direct and Moderating Effects on Depression, Anxiety, and Stress

Meaning-Centered Coping in the Era of COVID-19: Direct and Moderating Effects on Depression, Anxiety, and Stress

A Perspective on Mature Gratitude as a Way of Coping With COVID-19

Mature Gratitude in Positive Psychiatry

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