A recent study published in the journal Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being has provided new insights into the relationship between gratitude and loneliness.
A meta-analysis of data from 26 studies found a moderate inverse relationship between gratitude and loneliness. In other words, those who tend to feel more grateful are likely to feel less lonely.
More Gratitude, Less Loneliness
Loneliness is a painful and pervasive emotional experience that can lead to various negative outcomes such as depression, cardiovascular issues, and cognitive decline. In contrast, gratitude is often associated with positive emotional states, linked to better physical and mental health.
Researchers have been intrigued by the potential connection between these two experiences.
While some individual studies have suggested that gratitude may reduce feelings of loneliness, there has yet to be a comprehensive analysis to reinforce these findings and assess their overall significance.
Those who tend to feel more grateful are likely to feel less lonely – (Image: ofhsoupkitchen)
“I am often interested in the relationship between positive psychology and mental health. Gratitude is an important positive psychological construct that is significant for both mental and physical health. On the other hand, loneliness is an uncomfortable emotional experience due to a lack of social connection“, said study author James B. Hittner, a professor of psychology at the University of Charleston in the United States.
The researchers conducted a meta-analysis, combining results from multiple studies to determine a common trend. After searching several academic databases for studies examining the relationship between gratitude and loneliness, they identified 26 relevant studies involving a total of 9,679 participants.
A Strong Connection
The meta-analysis revealed that individuals with higher levels of gratitude tend to experience lower levels of loneliness. The researchers found that if a randomly selected individual scores above average on gratitude, there is a 62.4% chance that this person will also score below average on loneliness.
Hittner stated: “We were surprised by the overall meta-analytic relationship, which shows a strong connection between gratitude and loneliness. The results indicate that higher levels of gratitude are associated with better resilience among individuals, thereby reducing the level of loneliness they experience.”
“These findings also suggest that it would be beneficial to modify intervention programs to enhance gratitude in order to alleviate loneliness,” Hittner added.
The researchers also proposed several directions for future research. One area of interest is exploring the mechanisms that underlie the relationship between gratitude and loneliness.
Longitudinal studies may also provide valuable insights by tracking individuals over time to examine how changes in gratitude levels affect loneliness. This approach would help clarify the direction of the causal relationship and identify potential mediating factors.
Hittner remarked: “One research question of interest is whether the strength of the relationship between gratitude and loneliness is similar to the strength of the relationship between gratitude and other negative emotions, such as depression, anxiety, and fear.”
