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The Role of Gratitude in Breast Cancer: Its Relationships with Post-traumatic Growth, Psychological Well-Being and Distress

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  • Chiara Ruini
  • Francesca Vescovelli

Abstract

Despite the increasing number of studies documenting the positive effects of gratitude in coping with traumatic events and facilitating psychological well-being, none is addressed to patients with life-threatening illnesses such as cancer. The aims of this study are to examine the role of gratitude in a breast cancer sample and its correlations with post-traumatic growth, psychological well-being, and distress; and to compare patients reporting higher levels of gratitude (High Gratitude Individuals, HGI) versus those reporting lower levels (Low Gratitude Individuals, LGI). 67 breast cancer patients were assessed with: (1) Gratitude Questionnaire; (2) Post-traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI); (3) Psychological Well-being Scales (PWBS) (4) Symptom Questionnaires (SQ); and were divided into: (1) High Gratitude Individuals—HGI (n = 27); (2) Low Gratitude Individuals—LGI (n = 40). Bivariate correlations between questionnaires and ANOVA between-group were calculated. Gratitude was significantly and positively correlated to all of PTGI scales, to PWBS positive relations, to SQ relaxation and contentment, and negatively related to anxiety, depression, and hostility-irritability. HGI and LGI reported significant differences on the PTGI and SQ dimensions, but not on PWB scales, with HGI displaying higher levels of PTGI, positive affect and lower symptomatology. Also in breast cancer patients gratitude is strongly associated to post-traumatic growth, reduced distress and increased positive emotions, but surprisingly not to psychological well-being. Since the majority of patients reported low gratitude levels, the results suggest the importance of developing interventions to clinically increase them also in oncology. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2013

Suggested Citation

  • Chiara Ruini & Francesca Vescovelli, 2013. "The Role of Gratitude in Breast Cancer: Its Relationships with Post-traumatic Growth, Psychological Well-Being and Distress," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 14(1), pages 263-274, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jhappi:v:14:y:2013:i:1:p:263-274
    DOI: 10.1007/s10902-012-9330-x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Michele Tugade & Barbara Fredrickson, 2007. "Regulation of Positive Emotions: Emotion Regulation Strategies that Promote Resilience," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 8(3), pages 311-333, September.
    2. Steven Toepfer & Kelly Cichy & Patti Peters, 2012. "Letters of Gratitude: Further Evidence for Author Benefits," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 13(1), pages 187-201, March.
    3. Loren Toussaint & Philip Friedman, 2009. "Forgiveness, Gratitude, and Well-Being: The Mediating Role of Affect and Beliefs," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 10(6), pages 635-654, December.
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    2. Izabela Krejtz & John Nezlek & Anna Michnicka & Paweł Holas & Marzena Rusanowska, 2016. "Counting One’s Blessings Can Reduce the Impact of Daily Stress," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 17(1), pages 25-39, February.
    3. Nathan T. Deichert & Micah Prairie Chicken & Lexus Hodgman, 2019. "Appreciation of Others Buffers the Associations of Stressful Life Events with Depressive and Physical Symptoms," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 20(4), pages 1071-1088, April.
    4. Anna Alkozei & Ryan Smith & William D. S. Killgore, 2018. "Gratitude and Subjective Wellbeing: A Proposal of Two Causal Frameworks," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 19(5), pages 1519-1542, June.
    5. Marianne Simons & Johan Lataster & Sanne Peeters & Jennifer Reijnders & Mayke Janssens & Nele Jacobs, 2020. "Sense of Abundance is Associated with Momentary Positive and Negative Affect: An Experience Sampling Study of Trait Gratitude in Daily Life," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 21(6), pages 2229-2236, August.

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