The Wishes and Expression of Gratitude of Youth
- UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
- Jonathan R. Tudge, Professor (Creator)
- Institution
- The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
- Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/
Abstract: Little research has examined the development of gratitude in youth, and none has related their gratitude to their wishes. We therefore asked 358 7- to 14-year-old North American participants (56% female; 55% White) to write their greatest wish and what they would do for their benefactor. Using chi-square and linear curve estimation, we found that younger youth (aged 7 to 10) were significantly more likely to express hedonistic wishes (desire for immediate gain) and concrete gratitude (not taking the benefactor's wishes into account); older youth (aged 11 to 14) were significantly more likely to wish either for something involving future well-being for themselves or the well-being of others and connective gratitude (taking into account the benefactor's wishes). Within both age groups, there was a significant inverse relation between hedonistic wishes and connective gratitude. This research has implications for encouraging the feeling and expression of connective gratitude.
The Wishes and Expression of Gratitude of Youth
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Created on 5/15/2020
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Additional Information
- Publication
- Paidéia, 25(62), 281-288
- Language: English
- Date: 2015
- Keywords
- gratitude, child development, adolescent development