The more grateful you are, the less lonely you feel

A recent study published in the journal Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being provides new insights into the relationship between gratitude and loneliness.

Meta-analysis of data from 26 studies found a moderate inverse association between gratitude and loneliness. In other words, people who tend to feel more grateful tend to feel less lonely.

More gratitude, less loneliness

Loneliness is a distressing and pervasive emotional experience that can lead to many negative outcomes such as depression, cardiovascular problems and cognitive decline. In contrast, gratitude is often associated with positive emotional states, which are linked to better physical and psychological health.

Researchers have been intrigued by the potential connection between the two experiences.

Although some individual studies have shown that gratitude can reduce feelings of loneliness, there has been no comprehensive analysis to consolidate these findings and consider their overall significance.

People who tend to feel more grateful tend to feel less lonely - (Photo: ofhsoupkitchen)

"I am often interested in the connection between positive psychology and psychological health. Gratitude is an important positive psychological construct that has implications for both psychological and physical health. On the other hand, Loneliness is an unpleasant emotional experience caused by a lack of social connection , " said study author James B. Hittner, professor of psychology at the College of Charleston (USA).

The researchers conducted a meta-analysis, combining results from multiple studies to identify common trends. After searching several academic databases for studies examining the relationship between gratitude and loneliness, they found 26 relevant studies, with a total of 9,679 participants.

Strong connection

Meta-analyses show that individuals with higher levels of gratitude tend to experience lower levels of loneliness. The researchers found that if an individual randomly scored above average on gratitude, there was a 62.4% chance that this person would also score below average on loneliness.

"We were surprised by the overall association analysis, which showed a strong link between gratitude and loneliness," Hittner said. "The results showed that higher levels of gratitude were associated with greater likelihood of being lonely ." greater interpersonal resilience, thereby reducing the level of loneliness they feel ".

"These findings also suggest that it may be beneficial to modify intervention programs to enhance gratitude to reduce loneliness," Hittner added.

The researchers also suggest several directions for future research. One area of ​​interest is exploring the mechanisms underlying the relationship between gratitude and loneliness.

Longitudinal studies can also provide valuable insights by following individuals over time, examining how changes in gratitude affect loneliness. This approach will help clarify the direction of causality and identify potential mediating factors.

" One research question of interest is whether the strength of the association between gratitude and loneliness is similar to the strength of the association between gratitude and other negative emotions, such as depression, anxiety, and fear," Hittner says .

A recent study published in the journal Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being provides new insights into the relationship between gratitude and loneliness.

Meta-analysis of data from 26 studies found a moderate inverse association between gratitude and loneliness. In other words, people who tend to feel more grateful tend to feel less lonely.

" One research question of interest is whether the strength of the association between gratitude and loneliness is similar to the strength of the association between gratitude and other negative emotions, such as depression, anxiety, and fear," Hittner says .

A recent study published in the journal Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being provides new insights into the relationship between gratitude and loneliness. More gratitude, less loneliness