Open Access

ARTICLE

The Influence of Gratitude on Coping Strategies: Indirect Effect Testing from Longitudinal Data

Jun Zhang^1,2,#,*, Junqiao Guo^3,#

1 School of Business Administration, Tourism College of Zhejiang, Hangzhou, 311231, China
2 College of Education, Sehan University, Yeongam County, Jeollanam-do, 650106, Republic of Korea
3 School of Educational Science, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, 241000, China

* Corresponding Author: Jun Zhang. Email:
# Jun Zhang and Junqiao Guo share the co-first authors

(This article belongs to the Special Issue: Mental Health Promotion and Psychosocial Support in Vulnerable Populations: Challenges, Strategies and Interventions)

International Journal of Mental Health Promotion 2025, 27(2), 193-214. https://doi.org/10.32604/ijmhp.2025.058022

Received 02 September 2024; Accepted 10 December 2024; Issue published 03 March 2025

Abstract

Background: The academic community is increasingly interested in understanding the mechanisms through which gratitude influences coping strategies. In addition, the role of gratitude in fostering long-term resilience and mental health outcomes has garnered significant attention. This study explores the mechanisms through which gratitude affects problem-focused coping strategies and emotion-focused coping strategies by constructing models involving gratitude, perceived social support, self-esteem, and problem-focused coping strategies, as well as models involving gratitude, perceived social support, self-esteem, and emotion-focused coping strategies. Methods: A longitudinal survey was conducted on 1666 Chinese university students using highly reliable and valid scales, including the Gratitude Scale, Perceived Social Support Scale, Self-Esteem Scale, and Brief Coping Strategies Scale. To examine whether perceived social support and self-esteem play a significant indirect role in the relationship between gratitude and problem-focused coping strategies, as well as between gratitude and emotion-focused coping strategies. Differences in variables based on demographic variables: We used one-way ANOVA to test the differences in gratitude, perceived social support, self-esteem, problem-focused coping strategies, and emotion-focused coping strategies among students of different grades and ages. Additionally, independent samples t-tests were used to examine the differences between students of different genders and household registrations. Results: The study found that (1) Gratitude significantly positively predicted perceived social support (β = 0.661, p < 0.001), self-esteem (β = 0.234, p < 0.001), and problem-focused coping strategies (β = 0.130, p < 0.001); (2) Perceived social support significantly positively predicted self-esteem (β = 0.440, p < 0.001; β = 0.439, p < 0.001), problem-focused coping strategies (β = 0.443, p < 0.001), and emotion-focused coping strategies (β = 0.279, p < 0.001); (3) Self-esteem significantly positively predicted problem-focused coping strategies (β = 0.172, p < 0.001) and significantly negatively predicted emotion-focused coping strategies (β = −0.205, p < 0.001); (4) Gratitude can influence problem-focused coping strategies through the dual indirect effect of two mediating variables. After the inclusion of the mediating variables, the effect of problem-focused coping strategies in the indirect model was further strengthened. (5) Gratitude can influence emotion-focused coping strategies through a completely indirect effect on perceived social support and self-esteem. After inserting the mediating variables, the effect of emotion-focused coping strategies in the mediating model is enhanced. Conclusion: Gratitude can directly and positively predict problem-focused coping strategies, and it can also positively predict problem-focused coping strategies through the dual indirect effect of two mediating variables. Gratitude does not significantly predict emotion-focused coping strategies directly, but it can influence emotion-focused coping strategies via a double indirect pathway.

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Keywords

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