The Relationship Between Gratitude and Loneliness: The Potential Benefits of Gratitude for Promoting Social Bonds

Overview

Journal Eur J Psychol

Specialty Psychology

Date 2016 Jun 2

PMID 27247660

Citations 8

Authors

Andrea Caputo

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

This paper explores the potential role of gratitude on the reduction of loneliness feelings, even controlling for several variables related to social desirability, well-being (subjective happiness and life satisfaction) and socio-demographic characteristics. Through a web-based survey a convenience sample of 197 participants completed an online questionnaire including these measures. Correlation analyses and four-step hierarchical multiple regression analyses were conducted. The results show a negative correlation between gratitude and loneliness; specifically, gratitude succeeds in accounting for up to almost one-fifth of the total variability of loneliness even controlling for further variables. Being female, not having a stable and consolidated relationship and not participating in the labor force represent some risk factors affecting loneliness which should be taken into account in further research.

Citing Articles

The relationship between mindfulness and suboptimal health status: a chain/serial mediation model.

Liang J, Zhang X, Wang Y Front Psychol. 2024; 15:1354975.

PMID: 38572201 PMC: 10987724. DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1354975.

Exploring mechanisms of improvement in the Active Brains intervention for older adults with chronic pain and early cognitive decline.

Choukas N, Mace R, Rochon E, Brewer J, Vranceanu A Arch Gerontol Geriatr. 2023; 118:105290.

PMID: 38056101 PMC: 11056800. DOI: 10.1016/j.archger.2023.105290.

More grateful, less addicted! Understanding how gratitude affects online gaming addiction among Chinese college students: a three-wave multiple mediation model.

Gao B, Xu Y, Bai L, Luo G, Li W BMC Psychol. 2023; 11(1):241.

PMID: 37612743 PMC: 10464361. DOI: 10.1186/s40359-023-01271-7.

Sexual Satisfaction Mediates the Effects of the Quality of Dyadic Sexual Communication on the Degree of Perceived Sexual Desire Discrepancy.

Galizia R, Theodorou A, Simonelli C, Lai C, Nimbi F Healthcare (Basel). 2023; 11(5).

PMID: 36900654 PMC: 10001296. DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11050648.

Loneliness and Social Isolation as Risk Factors: The Power of Social Connection in Prevention.

Holt-Lunstad J Am J Lifestyle Med. 2021; 15(5):567-573.

PMID: 34646109 PMC: 8504333. DOI: 10.1177/15598276211009454.

References

Hughes M, Waite L, Hawkley L, Cacioppo J . A Short Scale for Measuring Loneliness in Large Surveys: Results From Two Population-Based Studies. Res Aging. 2008; 26(6):655-672. PMC: 2394670. DOI: 10.1177/0164027504268574. View

Weiner B . An attributional theory of achievement motivation and emotion. Psychol Rev. 1985; 92(4):548-73. View

Dunn J, Schweitzer M . Feeling and believing: the influence of emotion on trust. J Pers Soc Psychol. 2005; 88(5):736-48. DOI: 10.1037/0022-3514.88.5.736. View

Algoe S, Haidt J, Gable S . Beyond reciprocity: gratitude and relationships in everyday life. Emotion. 2008; 8(3):425-9. PMC: 2692821. DOI: 10.1037/1528-3542.8.3.425. View

Kubacka K, Finkenauer C, Rusbult C, Keijsers L . Maintaining close relationships: gratitude as a motivator and a detector of maintenance behavior. Pers Soc Psychol Bull. 2011; 37(10):1362-75. DOI: 10.1177/0146167211412196. View

Hawkley L, Cacioppo J . Loneliness matters: a theoretical and empirical review of consequences and mechanisms. Ann Behav Med. 2010; 40(2):218-27. PMC: 3874845. DOI: 10.1007/s12160-010-9210-8. View

McCullough M, Emmons R, Tsang J . The grateful disposition: a conceptual and empirical topography. J Pers Soc Psychol. 2002; 82(1):112-27. DOI: 10.1037//0022-3514.82.1.112. View

Heinrich L, Gullone E . The clinical significance of loneliness: a literature review. Clin Psychol Rev. 2006; 26(6):695-718. DOI: 10.1016/j.cpr.2006.04.002. View

Dykstra P . Loneliness among the never and formerly married: the importance of supportive friendships and a desire for independence. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. 1995; 50(5):S321-9. DOI: 10.1093/geronb/50b.5.s321. View

10.

Lauder W, Sharkey S, Mummery K . A community survey of loneliness. J Adv Nurs. 2004; 46(1):88-94. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2648.2003.02968.x. View

11.

Howell R, Rodzon K, Kurai M, Sanchez A . A validation of well-being and happiness surveys for administration via the Internet. Behav Res Methods. 2010; 42(3):775-84. DOI: 10.3758/BRM.42.3.775. View

12.

McCullough M, Kilpatrick S, Emmons R, Larson D . Is gratitude a moral affect?. Psychol Bull. 2001; 127(2):249-66. DOI: 10.1037/0033-2909.127.2.249. View

13.

Bartlett M, DeSteno D . Gratitude and prosocial behavior: helping when it costs you. Psychol Sci. 2006; 17(4):319-25. DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-9280.2006.01705.x. View

14.

Mahon N, Yarcheski A, Yarcheski T, Cannella B, Hanks M . A meta-analytic study of predictors for loneliness during adolescence. Nurs Res. 2006; 55(5):308-15. DOI: 10.1097/00006199-200609000-00003. View

15.

Lasgaard M, Goossens L, Elklit A . Loneliness, depressive symptomatology, and suicide ideation in adolescence: cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses. J Abnorm Child Psychol. 2010; 39(1):137-50. DOI: 10.1007/s10802-010-9442-x. View

16.

Jones W, Hobbs S, Hockenbury D . Loneliness and social skill deficits. J Pers Soc Psychol. 1982; 42(4):682-9. DOI: 10.1037//0022-3514.42.4.682. View

17.

Hawkley L, Burleson M, Berntson G, Cacioppo J . Loneliness in everyday life: cardiovascular activity, psychosocial context, and health behaviors. J Pers Soc Psychol. 2003; 85(1):105-20. DOI: 10.1037/0022-3514.85.1.105. View

18.

Vereecken C, Maes L . Comparison of a computer-administered and paper-and-pencil-administered questionnaire on health and lifestyle behaviors. J Adolesc Health. 2006; 38(4):426-32. DOI: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2004.10.010. View

19.

Kraut R, Patterson M, Lundmark V, Kiesler S, Mukopadhyay T, Scherlis W . Internet paradox. A social technology that reduces social involvement and psychological well-being?. Am Psychol. 1998; 53(9):1017-31. DOI: 10.1037//0003-066x.53.9.1017. View

20.

Wood A, Froh J, Geraghty A . Gratitude and well-being: a review and theoretical integration. Clin Psychol Rev. 2010; 30(7):890-905. DOI: 10.1016/j.cpr.2010.03.005. View