Gratitude in Youth: Past, Present, and Future Applications
Gratitude is a disposition or mood that enables people to responds positively for the benefits they receive from people, nature, or a moment of peaceful bliss. Past research has recognized gratitude as one of the most important virtues a person can have. It has been demonstrated that there are psychological, interpersonal, personality, and physical benefits to being grateful.
Only recently has present research begun to actively explore gratitude in children and adolescents. Recent research with children and adolescents shows the benefits of gratitude on youth are very similar to that of adults. Specifically, grateful youth are more optimistic, have a better life and school satisfaction, engage in more prosocial behavior, and experience fewer negative emotions. Hence, gratitude has the potential to promote psychological well-being and positive adjustment in youth.