Differing levels of gratitude between romantic partners: Concurrent and longitudinal links with satisfaction and commitment in six dyadic datasets

Park, Y., Gordon, A., Humberg, S., Muise, A., & Impett, E. A.

Research article (journal) | Peer reviewed

Abstract

Gratitude promotes high quality relationships, but what happens when partners differ in their levels of gratitude? We examined the dyadic nature of gratitude in relationships using six longitudinal datasets (562 couples). Approaching the dyadic effect from the perspective of a “weak-link” hypothesis, we tested if the link between one partner’s gratitude and relationship quality is reduced if the other partner is low in gratitude. Our results overall did not support this hypothesis as they indicated that grateful individuals were more satisfied and committed at baseline, and more grateful and committed over time, regardless of their partner’s level of gratitude. As an alternative way to conceptualize the dyadic effect of gratitude, we explored a potential similarity effect using Dyadic Response Surface Analysis. Our results revealed no unique effect of having two partners reciprocating the same levels of gratitude above and beyond the effect of each partner’s gratitude.

Details about the publication

JournalPersonality Science
Volume4
Page range1-22
StatusPublished
Release year2023
DOI10.5964/ps.10537
Link to the full texthttps://ps.psychopen.eu/index.php/ps/article/view/10537
Keywordsgratitude, appreciation, relationship quality, dyadic effects, Response Surface Analysis

Authors from the University of Münster

Humberg, Sarah
Professorship for Psychologiscal Diagnostics and Personality Psychology (Prof. Back)