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The role of gratitude in the development of social support, stress, and depression: Two longitudinal studies
Wood AM, Maltby J, Gillett R, Linley PA, Joseph S
Journal of Research in Personality. 2008;42, 4.
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Abstract
In two longitudinal studies, the authors examined the direction of the relationships between trait gratitude, perceivedsocial support, stress, and depression during a life transition. Both studies used a full cross-lagged panel design, with participantscompleting all measures at the start and end of their first semester at college. Structural equation modeling wasused to compare models of direct, reverse, and reciprocal models of directionality. Both studies supported a direct modelwhereby gratitude led to higher levels of perceived social support, and lower levels of stress and depression. In contrast, novariable led to gratitude, and most models of mediation were discounted. Study 2 additionally showed that gratitude leadsto the other variables independently of the Big Five factors of personality. Overall gratitude seems to directly foster socialsupport, and to protect people from stress and depression, which has implications for clinical interventions.