A grateful eye towards the future? Dispositional gratitude relates to consideration of future consequences. (September 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Syropoulos, Stylianos; Markowitz, Ezra M.
• Is Part Of: Personality and individual differences. Volume 179(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-09
• Subjects: Gratitude -- Indebtedness -- Fairness -- Consideration of future consequences -- Personality traits; Personality -- Periodicals; Individuality -- Periodicals; Individuality -- Periodicals; Personality Development -- Periodicals; Personnalité -- Périodiques; Individualité -- Périodiques; 155.205
• DOI: 10.1016/j.paid.2021.110911
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0191-8869

Abstract

Abstract: Although individual differences in dispositional gratitude have been shown to relate with both personal well-being and intergenerational beneficence, no work has yet examined whether trait gratitude is correlated with consideration of future consequences for one's self. Across six studies (total N = 2758) we find robust evidence for a significant and positive correlation between dispositional gratitude and consideration of future consequences (CFC): r = 0.33, SE = 0.02, Z = 16.82, p < .001, 95% CI [0.30, 0.37]. Further, we show that related dispositional factors, including feelings of indebtedness and valuing fairness, do not show a similar relationship with CFC. The association between gratitude and CFC also remains significant when controlling for core personality traits. These initial findings highlight that gratitude may be a novel leverage point for increasing individuals' consideration of self-relevant long-term outcomes; in turn, this relationship may prove useful in promoting individual and community well-being in the future. Highlights: Being grateful relates to increased consideration of future consequences. Feelings of gratitude are distinct from feelings of indebtedness. Gratitude but not indebtedness relates to more agreeableness and conscientiousness. Gratitude but not indebtedness relates to increased openness and extraversion. Gratitude but not indebtedness relates to less neuroticism.