REGULAR ARTICLE
Gratitude, relatedness needs satisfaction, and negative psychological outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic: A short-term longitudinal study
Jesus Alfonso D. Datu,
Frank D. Fincham,
Corresponding Author
Jesus Alfonso D. Datu
Department of Special Education and Counselling, Integrated Centre for Well-Being, The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR China
Correspondence Jesus Alfonso D. Datu, The Education University of Hong Kong, Rm. D2-2F-28, 10 Lo Ping Rd., Tai Po, New Territories, Hong Kong, SAR China.
Email: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this authorFrank D. Fincham
FSU Family Institute, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, USA
Search for more papers by this authorJesus Alfonso D. Datu,
Frank D. Fincham,
Corresponding Author
Jesus Alfonso D. Datu
Department of Special Education and Counselling, Integrated Centre for Well-Being, The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR China
Correspondence Jesus Alfonso D. Datu, The Education University of Hong Kong, Rm. D2-2F-28, 10 Lo Ping Rd., Tai Po, New Territories, Hong Kong, SAR China.
Email: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this authorFrank D. Fincham
FSU Family Institute, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, USA
Search for more papers by this authorAbstract
Objectives
Although gratitude relates to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) well-being outcomes in the United States, more evidence is needed to understand how this psychological strength reciprocally relates to mental health during this pandemic. This study examines the association of gratitude with stress, anxiety, and depression among undergraduate students in the United States via a longitudinal design.
Methods
An online survey was administered to 643 undergraduate students in a public university located in the southeastern region of the United States. There was a 1-month interval between the first and second waves of data collection.
Results
Cross-lagged panel structural equation modeling showed that whereas gratitude positively predicted subsequent relatedness needs satisfaction, it negatively predicted later stress, anxiety, and depression. Relatedness needs satisfaction was reciprocally linked to subsequent gratitude.
Conclusion
Results suggest that gratitude might serve as a protective psychological resource against the detrimental mental health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
Open Research
DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT
Data are available from the authors upon request.
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