Gratitude and Happiness: The Causes and Consequences of Gratitude

Abstract

In this chapter, we review recent research on the relationship between gratitude and happiness. First, we show how gratitude is a critical component of the good life. Because gratitude is vital to wellbeing, it is important to establish the causes of state and trait gratitude. We explain an appraisal approach to grateful emotion and show how certain benefit interpretations are critical to the experience of gratitude. In this context, we describe an encouraging new paradigm that has been applied to the study of gratitude: cognitive bias modification. This experimental approach has helped to establish the causal status of interpretations to gratitude, and we describe how this methodology should help to understand gratitude in future research. Recent research on the cognitive antecedents of gratitude has shown that the nature of the benefactor matters to experiences of gratitude, and in this regard, a divine benefactor may create a unique experience of gratitude. Gratitude scholars have now turned to the question: How does gratitude enhance happiness? We present research and theories that have attempted to speak to this issue. Finally, we explore the question: Who benefits most from gratitude interventions? Research has supplied some surprising answers to this question.

What Do We Know About the Influence of Believers’ Religiosity on Happiness and Gratitude? – A Perspective for Clinical Practice

“…In accordance with the SDHS statistical bipolar property, this also suggests that these people will have lesser levels of depression. This result is consistent with theory and the majority of previous research demonstrating that individuals with greater gratitude are happier 32 and have lower levels of depression. 28 , 29 …”

“…Watkins et al 32 have put forth the amplification theory of gratitude, positing that the act of psychologically magnifying the positive aspects of one’s life can lead to an augmentation of happiness. In addition, individuals with a heightened disposition towards gratitude tend to engage in a favorable reinterpretation of negative experiences, thereby eliciting feelings of gratitude.…”

Relationship between Grateful Disposition and Subjective Happiness of Korean Young Adults: Focused on Double Mediating Effect of Social Support and Positive Interpretation

“…A longitudinal study verified a structural equation model that revealed the relationship between gratitude disposition and life satisfaction, which is a factor in subjective well-being [ 11 ]. Watkins et al explored the cause and effect relationship between gratitude and happiness based on various studies and theories and suggested that gratitude can improve happiness [ 12 ]. Therefore, in the field of positive psychology, attempts have been made to use gratitude as a clinical intervention to promote individuals’ well-being and happiness [ 13 ].…”

“…However, happiness can be both a cause and consequence of gratitude [ 12 ]; there are many positive things that can make people feel happy, which makes them feel grateful. Therefore, in this study, it was assumed that if grateful disposition is high, there is more social support, which results in people feeling happy.…”