Effect of gratitude on loneliness of Chinese college students: Social support as a mediator

Authors
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.2224/sbp.2015.43.4.559
Keywords:
gratitude, loneliness, social support, college students
Abstract

We investigated the mediating role of social support in the relationship between gratitude and loneliness. Participants were 728 Chinese students, from 6 universities, who completed 3 psychometric scales: the Gratitude Questionnaire-6, the UCLA Loneliness Scale (version 3), and the Social Support Rating Scale. Both gratitude and social support exerted protective effects against loneliness, and social support partially mediated the relationship between gratitude and loneliness. The practical implication of this research is that gratitude promotes social support and, thus, can protect individuals against loneliness.

Author Biographies
  1. Shiguang Ni, Tsinghua University
    Graduate School at Shenzhen
  2. Ruidong Yang, Tsinghua University
    Graduate School at Shenzhen
  3. Yufeng Zhang, Tsinghua University
    Department of Psychology
  4. Rui Dong, Zhejiang University of Finance and Economics
    School of Business Administration
References
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Published
2015-01-10
Issue
Vol. 43 No. 4 (2015)
Section
Articles
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