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

Măirean, Cornelia; Turliuc, Maria Nicoleta; Arghire, Diana

doi:10.1007/s10902-018-9998-7

Research Paper
Published: 22 June 2018

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

Cornelia Măirean¹,
Maria Nicoleta Turliuc¹ &
Diana Arghire¹

Journal of Happiness Studies volume 20, pages 1359–1377 (2019)Cite this article

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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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Psychology Department, Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi, Toma Cozma 3, 700554, Iasi, Romania
Cornelia Măirean, Maria Nicoleta Turliuc & Diana Arghire

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Cornelia Măirean
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Maria Nicoleta Turliuc
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Diana Arghire
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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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Published: 22 June 2018
Issue Date: 15 June 2019
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-018-9998-7

Keywords

Trait gratitude
State gratitude
Positive affect
Negative affect
Psychological wellbeing