The Effect of Gratitude Expressions on the Intimate Relationship between Lovers

Abstract

Abstract: Gratitude is a kind of positive emotion of which influence on subjective well-being. This research aimed to investigate if the intervention on gratitude and the expression of gratitude could enhance responsiveness between lovers and their relationship satisfaction. The impact of recording gratitude and the reception of gratitude expressions throughout 2 weeks on responsiveness and relationship satisfaction. Students involved in a relationship with boyfriends or girlfriends were recruited from several Universities. In Study 1, 61 participants were asked to complete the Appreciation in Relationships Questionnaire, the Responsiveness Questionnaire and the Couples Satisfaction Questionnaire. Study 2 investigated if recording gratitude and the reception of gratitude expression could enhance responsiveness between lovers and their relationship satisfaction. In the experimental group, 42 participants filled out the questionnaires once a day throughout 14 days, whereas the 30 participants in the control group only filled out the questionnaires on the first and the 14th day. The studies found that: 1)gratitude and the reception of gratitude expression predicted responsiveness and relationship satisfaction significantly; 2)the reception of gratitude expression mediated the relationship between gratitude and responsiveness; 3)recording gratitude and the reception of gratitude expression enhanced responsiveness and relationship satisfaction significantly. The results of this research demonstrated that, the effect of gratitude expressions on the quality of intimate relationships were mediated by the perception of being appreciated by the partner.

Key words: being appreciated, gratitude, responsiveness, relationship satisfaction, intimate relationship

摘要： 考察大学生恋人之间表达感激、感受到被对方感激、回应和关系满意度之间的关系,并考察对表达感激和感激干预是否能提高恋人之间的回应和关系满意度。研究一采用问卷调查法,61名被试（30名男性, 31名女性）完成亲密关系感激问卷、回应问卷、恋人关系满意度问卷,考察感激与被感激对回应和关系满意度的影响。研究二采用时间取样法,设置控制组和实验组,探究感激和被感激的记录能否提高回应和关系满意度。研究发现：（1）被感激和感激能显著预测回应和关系满意度;（2）被感激是感激对回应影响的中介变量;（3）感激和被感激的记录能显著提高回应与关系满意度。结果说明,感激和被他人感激的训练可以有效促进亲密关系。

关键词: 被感激, 感激, 回应, 关系满意度, 亲密关系

CLC Number:

B842.6

Wang Yanmei, Lin Aiping. The Effect of Gratitude Expressions on the Intimate Relationship between Lovers[J]. Studies of Psychology and Behavior, 2017, 15(1): 113-120.

王艳梅, 林爱萍. 表达感激、感知到被他人感激对恋人亲密关系的影响*[J]. 心理与行为研究, 2017, 15(1): 113-120.

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