Gratitude, well-being and psychological distress among South African university students

Abstract

This study investigated the associations between gratitude, measures of well-being, and indicators of psychological distress (depression and negative emotion) among South African university students. Data were collected from 198 first-year university students (female = 69.70%; mean age = 20.55 years, SD = 1.70 years) using measures of gratitude, flourishing, well-being, depression, and negative emotion. The results showed that gratitude is positively associated with measures of well-being, and inversely related to indicators of psychological distress. University-based support programmes should consider gratitude interventions to support student success.

Keywords:

• depression
• eudaimonic well-being
• flourishing
• gratitude
• negative emotions
• student counselling

ORCID

Henry D. Mason http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3966-9970