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The Relationship Between Trait Gratitude and Psychological Wellbeing in University Students: The Mediating Role of Affective State and the Moderating Role of State Gratitude

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Abstract

Gratitude is a positive psychological characteristic that is connected to wellbeing. This study aims to examine the relation between trait gratitude and psychological wellbeing (PWB), as well as the mediational role of the affective state in the relationship between these concepts. Moreover, we also investigated whether state gratitude moderates the relation between trait gratitude, affective state, and PWB. Participants were 135 undergraduate students who completed a battery of assessments as part of a standard protocol. A gratitude state induction, based on a brief intervention, was also used. Results showed that all the dimensions of trait gratitude were positively associated with the dimensions of psychological wellbeing. Moreover, the relations between the dimensions of trait gratitude, on the one hand, and psychological wellbeing, on the other hand, were mediated by affective state. State gratitude was not a significant moderator for the relations between trait gratitude and PWB. The theoretical and practical implications of these results are discussed.

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Correspondence to Cornelia Măirean.

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Măirean, C., Turliuc, M.N. & Arghire, D. The Relationship Between Trait Gratitude and Psychological Wellbeing in University Students: The Mediating Role of Affective State and the Moderating Role of State Gratitude. J Happiness Stud 20, 1359–1377 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-018-9998-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-018-9998-7

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