Gratitude in children: Implication of demographic and situational variables ni a population in Argentina

OROS, LAURA B.; SCHULZ, A.

Edmonton

Congreso; Biennial Meeting of International Society for the Study of Behavioral Development (ISSBD); 2012

University of Alberta

Gratitude is a complex emotion with a decisive role in human happiness (Emmons, 2008). In contrast to other emotions, the object of gratitude is always outside the person, and it is possible to identify several experiences and situations that may evoke it (Emmons et al., 2003). The aim of this study was to explore the most frequent reasons for gratitude in children and to establish a comparison according to demographic and situational variables. The sample was composed of 260 boys (n=135) and girls (n=125), between the ages of 8 and 12 (M=9,24; DE=1,05) from the province of Entre Ríos, Argentina. The study included 130 children of low socioeconomic status and 130 children of better socio-environmental conditions. In order to gather the information, the free answer technique was used, which is usually used in studies related to gratitude (Emmons et al., 2003). The data was analyzed combining quantitative and qualitative methodology. No difference was found regarding gratitude according to sex, but differences were found regarding age and socio-environmental conditions. Results are discussed in the light of current theoretical models regarding positive emotions, and suggestions are offered for future research in this line.