The Effectiveness of a Gratitude Intervention on Perceived Parent-Child Relationship Quality: A Pilot Study among Parents and Children
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2022-01-10
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en
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Gratitude scholars have mainly focused on the individual effects of gratitude and on the role
of gratitude in romantic relationships. However, the parent-child relationship is one of the
most important relationships of one’s life and therefore, this pilot study aimed to investigate
the effectiveness of a gratitude intervention for parents on the parent-child relationship and
possible underlying mechanisms thereof. In this online study, 34 parent-child dyads (91%
mothers, 41% daughters) completed a questionnaire at the end of the day on three consecutive
days and parents completed a short gratitude or control writing assignment on the second day,
before their child came home after school/work. Findings revealed that there was no
difference in perceived parent-child relationship quality between the gratitude and the control
condition after the intervention in parents or in children. Further, there were no mediating
effects of positive thoughts about or feelings toward the child, motivation to spend time with
the child, or positive relationship behaviours. Nevertheless, participants reported that they
enjoyed the study and improvements for the current study design are discussed, along with
limitations of the study and suggestions for future research.
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Faculteit der Sociale Wetenschappen