The protective effects of perceived gratitude and expressed gratitude for relationship quality among African American couples

Bibliographic Data

ID2935668
AuthorsA W Barton (0000-0002-8888-2612, Department of Human Development and Family Studies, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA, corresponding author), August I C Jenkins (0000-0002-5971-9787, Department of Human Development and Family Studies, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA), Qiujie Gong (0000-0002-6738-9597, Department of Human Development and Family Studies, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA), Naya C Sutton (Department of Human Development and Family Studies, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA), Steven R Beach (0000-0001-8053-7761, University of Georgia)
Year2023
Volume40
Issue5
Pages1622-1644
Publication date2023-05-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Social and Personal Relationships (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0265-4075 • E-ISSN: 1460-3608
PublisherSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/02654075221131288
PMID38911018
OpenAlexW4300980168
LanguageEN
Citations received8
References cited41

The current study was designed to investigate the protective effects of gratitude in romantic relationships. Particular attention was given to differentiating the beneficial effects of perceived gratitude (i.e., gratitude from one's partner, or feeling appreciated) versus expressed gratitude (i.e., gratitude to one's partner, or being appreciative) in mitigating the negative effects of ineffective arguing and financial strain on multiple indicators of relationship quality, both concurrently and longitudinally. The sample comprised 316 African American couples with three waves of data spanning approximately 16 months. Results indicated higher levels of perceived gratitude - but not expressed gratitude - weakened the association between relationship stressors and worsened outcomes (i.e., less satisfaction and confidence, more instability) at both between-person and within-person levels. Concurrently, perceived gratitude exhibited protective effects with respect to ineffective arguing and financial strain; longitudinal protective effects were observed only with respect to ineffective arguing. Results highlight the ways in which perceiving gratitude from one's partner, both at a single instance and sustained over many months, can be protective for multiple facets of relationship quality. Collectively, findings underscore the importance of interpersonal gratitude for romantic relationships and its merit for increased attention in research and practice

Developmental psychology · Gratitude · Quality (philosophy · Clinical Psychology · Employment and Welfare Studies · Intergenerational Family Dynamics and Caregiving · Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction · Psychology · Social Psychology

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