IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/spr/jhappi/v24y2023i1d10.1007_s10902-022-00597-0.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Gratitude Reduces Regret: The Mediating Role of Temporal Focus

Author

Listed:
  • Mo Luan

    (University of International Business and Economics)

  • Yufeng Zhang

    (Beijing Normal University)

  • Xiaoyu Wang

    (Beijing Normal University)

Abstract

Although gratitude has received increasing attention from positive psychology researchers in recent years, few studies have examined the benefits of gratitude in decision making. In the present research we explored the effect of gratitude on regret, a decision-making-specific negative emotion. Across five studies (N = 738), the results revealed that gratitude reduced regret in decision-making, and past-focus was the underlying mechanism. The results of Studies 1, 2 and 3 consistently showed that gratitude reduced regret in decision-making. Studies 4 and 5 provided a potential explanation, demonstrating that temporal focus was the mechanism underlying the effect of gratitude on regret. These results indicate the benefits of gratitude in decision-making, suggesting a need to investigate why gratitude enhances well-being.

Suggested Citation

  • Mo Luan & Yufeng Zhang & Xiaoyu Wang, 2023. "Gratitude Reduces Regret: The Mediating Role of Temporal Focus," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 24(1), pages 1-15, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jhappi:v:24:y:2023:i:1:d:10.1007_s10902-022-00597-0
    DOI: 10.1007/s10902-022-00597-0
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s10902-022-00597-0
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1007/s10902-022-00597-0?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. DeSteno, David & Li, Ye & Dickens, Leah & Lerner, Jennifer, 2014. "Gratitude: A Tool for Reducing Economic Impatience," Scholarly Articles 12185844, Harvard Kennedy School of Government.
    2. Kristin Layous & Kate Sweeny & Christina Armenta & Soojung Na & Incheol Choi & Sonja Lyubomirsky, 2017. "The proximal experience of gratitude," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 12(7), pages 1-26, July.
    3. Bracha, Anat & Brown, Donald J., 2012. "Affective decision making: A theory of optimism bias," Games and Economic Behavior, Elsevier, vol. 75(1), pages 67-80.
    4. Zeelenberg, M. & van Dijk, W.W. & van der Pligt, J. & Manstead, A.S.R. & van Empelen, P. & Reinderman, D., 1998. "Emotional reactions to the outcomes of decisions : The role of counterfactual thought in the experience of regret and disappointment," Discussion Paper 1998-35, Tilburg University, Center for Economic Research.
    5. Feng Kong & Ke Ding & Jingjing Zhao, 2015. "The Relationships Among Gratitude, Self-esteem, Social Support and Life Satisfaction Among Undergraduate Students," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 16(2), pages 477-489, April.
    6. Lung Chen & Ying Kee, 2008. "Gratitude and Adolescent Athletes’ Well-Being," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 89(2), pages 361-373, November.
    7. Lilian Jans-Beken & Johan Lataster & Denise Peels & Lilian Lechner & Nele Jacobs, 2018. "Gratitude, Psychopathology and Subjective Well-Being: Results from a 7.5-Month Prospective General Population Study," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 19(6), pages 1673-1689, August.
    8. repec:cup:judgdm:v:15:y:2020:i:4:p:499-508 is not listed on IDEAS
    9. Lane, Tom, 2017. "How does happiness relate to economic behaviour? A review of the literature," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics (formerly The Journal of Socio-Economics), Elsevier, vol. 68(C), pages 62-78.
    10. Feng Kong & Kairong Yang & Wenjing Yan & Xuewen Li, 2021. "How Does Trait Gratitude Relate to Subjective Well-Being in Chinese Adolescents? The Mediating Role of Resilience and Social Support," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 22(4), pages 1611-1622, April.
    11. Aneta Przepiorka & Malgorzata Sobol-Kwapinska, 2021. "People with Positive Time Perspective are More Grateful and Happier: Gratitude Mediates the Relationship Between Time Perspective and Life Satisfaction," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 22(1), pages 113-126, January.
    12. Guillaume Tachon & Aïcha Rouibah & Blaire Morgan & Rebecca Shankland, 2022. "A Prototype Analysis of Self-Gratitude: Towards a Broadening of the Concept of Gratitude," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 23(5), pages 1867-1885, June.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Feng Kong & Kairong Yang & Wenjing Yan & Xuewen Li, 2021. "How Does Trait Gratitude Relate to Subjective Well-Being in Chinese Adolescents? The Mediating Role of Resilience and Social Support," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 22(4), pages 1611-1622, April.
    2. Feng Kong & Wenjie Li & Qiuling Wang & Zonglei Zhen, 2023. "Incremental Well-being Beliefs and Well-being in Adolescents: The Mediating Role of Self-esteem and Optimism," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 16(2), pages 533-549, April.
    3. Chunhua Ma & Yongfeng Ma & Xiaoyu Lan, 2022. "Parental Autonomy Support and Pathological Internet Use among Chinese Undergraduate Students: Gratitude Moderated the Mediating Effect of Filial Piety," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(5), pages 1-14, February.
    4. Yanhui Xiang & Rong Yuan, 2021. "Why Do People with High Dispositional Gratitude Tend to Experience High Life Satisfaction? A Broaden-and-Build Theory Perspective," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 22(6), pages 2485-2498, August.
    5. van Hoorn, André, 2018. "Is the happiness approach to measuring preferences valid?," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics (formerly The Journal of Socio-Economics), Elsevier, vol. 73(C), pages 53-65.
    6. Naved Iqbal & Kaiser Ahmad Dar, 2022. "Gratitude Intervention and Subjective Well-Being in Indian Adolescents: Examining the Moderating Effects of Self-Esteem," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 15(1), pages 263-278, February.
    7. Shalvi, Shaul & Dana, Jason & Handgraaf, Michel J.J. & De Dreu, Carsten K.W., 2011. "Justified ethicality: Observing desired counterfactuals modifies ethical perceptions and behavior," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 115(2), pages 181-190, July.
    8. Xiaodan Xu & Yan Xu & Jinzhe Zhao & Panqin Ye & Mengke Yu & Yidie Lai & Juan Wang & Qunying Huang, 2022. "Good Personality and Subjective Well-Being: Presence of Meaning in Life and Perceived Social Support as Mediators," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-14, October.
    9. María Teresa Chamizo-Nieto & Lourdes Rey & John Pellitteri, 2020. "Gratitude and Emotional Intelligence as Protective Factors against Cyber-Aggression: Analysis of a Mediation Model," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(12), pages 1-10, June.
    10. Lili Tian & Shuya Chu & E. Scott Huebner, 2016. "The Chain of Relationships Among Gratitude, Prosocial Behavior and Elementary School Students’ School Satisfaction: The Role of School Affect," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 9(2), pages 515-532, June.
    11. Bucciol, Alessandro & Burro, Giovanni, 2022. "Is there a happiness premium for working in the public sector? Evidence from Italy," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics (formerly The Journal of Socio-Economics), Elsevier, vol. 97(C).
    12. Schlosser, William E., 2020. "Real price appreciation forecast tool: Two delivered log market price cycles in the Puget Sound markets of western Washington, USA, from 1992 through 2019," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 113(C).
    13. Xiaodong Du & Hongli Feng & David A. Hennessy, 2017. "Rationality of Choices in Subsidized Crop Insurance Markets," American Journal of Agricultural Economics, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, vol. 99(3), pages 732-756.
    14. Wenjie Li & Linting Zhang & Chengcheng Li & Ningzhe Zhu & Jingjing Zhao & Feng Kong, 2022. "Pursuing Pleasure or Meaning: A Cross-Lagged Analysis of Happiness Motives and Well-being in Adolescents," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 23(8), pages 3981-3999, December.
    15. Jieun Yoo, 2020. "Gratitude and Subjective Well-Being among Koreans," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(22), pages 1-10, November.
    16. Ariel Herbert Fambeu & Georges Dieudonné Mbondo & Patricia Tchawa Yomi, 2022. "Bigger or better? The effect of public spending on happiness in Africa," African Development Review, African Development Bank, vol. 34(4), pages 487-499, December.
    17. Anat Bracha & Donald J. Brown, 2013. "Affective Utilities: A Rational Theory of Optimistic Bias in Asset Markets," Cowles Foundation Discussion Papers 1898R, Cowles Foundation for Research in Economics, Yale University, revised Jun 2014.
    18. Lia-Ecaterina Oltean & Andrei C. Miu & Radu Șoflău & Aurora Szentágotai-Tătar, 2022. "Tailoring Gratitude Interventions. How and for Whom Do They Work? The Potential Mediating Role of Reward Processing and the Moderating Role of Childhood Adversity and Trait Gratitude," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 23(6), pages 3007-3030, August.
    19. Anat Bracha & Donald Brown, 2013. "(Ir)rational Exuberance: Optimism, Ambiguity, and Risk," Levine's Working Paper Archive 786969000000000782, David K. Levine.
    20. Vondolia, Godwin K. & Hynes, Stephen & Armstrong, Claire W. & Chen, Wenting, 2021. "Subjective well-being and stated preferences: Explorations from a choice experiment in Norway," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics (formerly The Journal of Socio-Economics), Elsevier, vol. 91(C).

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:spr:jhappi:v:24:y:2023:i:1:d:10.1007_s10902-022-00597-0. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.springer.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.