Ethnic Variation in Gratitude and Well-Being

Gratitude is positively associated with health and well-being. Past studies of gratitude have primarily focused on the distinct cultural context of European Americans. The current studies aimed to extend gratitude research to Latino and East Asian Americans, 2 collectivistic contexts known to differently value positive emotions. Two studies explored whether Latino and East Asian Americans varied in gratitude experience and whether the disposition toward gratitude was associated with well-being for both. In Study 1, participants completed measures of the emotional experience and expression of gratitude. Latino Americans rated the desirability, appropriateness, frequency, and intensity of their gratitude experience–expression higher than did East Asian Americans. Moreover, European Americans’ gratitude experience and expression was similar to those of Latino Americans and higher than those of East Asian Americans. In Study 2, participants completed measures of gratitude disposition and indicators of well-being. Latino Americans reported a higher disposition toward gratitude than did East Asian Americans. Higher disposition toward gratitude was associated with higher self-esteem and with less loneliness and perceived stress across groups. However, the strength of the association of gratitude with subjective health and depressive symptoms varied by group in theoretically expected ways. The promising possibilities of extending research on gratitude to culturally diverse groups is discussed.