University of Twente Student Theses

Exploring the Associations between Gratitude, Stressful Events, and Emotional Well-Being and Distinguishing Between- and Within-Person Associations of Gratitude and Emotional Well-Being: an Experience Sampling Study

Schleich, A.C. (2022) Exploring the Associations between Gratitude, Stressful Events, and Emotional Well-Being and Distinguishing Between- and Within-Person Associations of Gratitude and Emotional Well-Being: an Experience Sampling Study.

PDF
630kB

Abstract:	Aim: In previous research, the importance of gratitude for mental health was consistently shown. In addition, several findings indicate that gratitude might be a protective factor while experiencing a stressful event in the way that it buffers the negative impact of stress on wellbeing. Although there is a consensus about the importance of distinguishing between-and within-person associations, until now no study clearly examined the association between gratitude and well-being by making this distinction. Therefore, the current study aimed to examine this relationship by clearly distinguishing between-and within-person associations between gratitude and emotional well-being. Additionally, the association between stressful events and well-being as well as the moderating effect of gratitude on this relationship are examined. Method: Data for this study were collected using the Experience Sampling Method. Participants (N=69) were asked to fill out a baseline questionnaire as well as momentary questionnaires three times a day over two weeks. State gratitude, positive and negative affect, as well as the experience of a stressful event were measured. Linear mixed models and personmean centering were used to clearly disaggregate between-and within-person associations. Results: The overall association of state gratitude and emotional well-being was present for positive and negative affect. When distinguishing between-and within-person associations, the association remained significant moderate positive for positive affect between people (β =.33, p<.001) as well as significant strong positive within people (β =.44, p<.001). For negative affect, only a significant within-person association (β =-.27, p<.001) was confirmed. Further, the association between the experience of a stressful event and well-being was significant strong positive for positive affect and significant strong negative for negative affect. The assumed interaction effect of gratitude and stressful events was borderline significant (p=.068) for positive affect but was not confirmed for negative affect. Conclusion: The study is the first one known showing that the association of gratitude and well-being does not only hold between people but also within people. The within-person association was also shown to be stronger. Furthermore, as the associations were weaker for negative affect this suggests gratitude to be stronger related to promoting positive affect compared to combating negative affect. Moreover, a moderating effect of gratitude on the relation between stressful events and well-being was revealed to be significant for positive affect but not for negative affect suggesting gratitude to buffer the negative impact of stressful events on positive affect without preventing an increase of negative affect. For future studies, a closer look into the way how the association between gratitude and emotional well-being unfolds within individuals should be taken.
Item Type:	Essay (Master)
Faculty:	BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences
Subject:	77 psychology
Programme:	Psychology MSc (66604)
Link to this item:	https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/89783
Export this item as:	BibTeX EndNote HTML Citation Reference Manager

Show download statistics for this publication

Repository Staff Only: item control page