Evaluating the Psychometric Properties of the Gratitude Questionnaire in a Chinese Sample: Comparing the 6-Item and 5-Item Versions

Abstract

Abstract Objectives There are controversies related to the item composition of the Gratitude Questionnaire-Six-Item Form (GQ-6). Recent literature has suggested removing Item 6 from the scale. This study evaluated both the 6- and 5-item versions and proposed an adapted Chinese version. Method Nine hundred and three undergraduate students were recruited for this psychometric evaluation study. The internal consistency, concurrent validity, and construct validity of the GQ-6 were evaluated. Results The results showed that the 5-item Gratitude Questionnaire (GQ-5), which excludes Item 6, demonstrated better internal consistency (α = 0.74) compared to the original 6-item version (GQ-6) (α = 0.59). Both the 6-item and 5-item versions of the Gratitude Questionnaire exhibited good concurrent validity with well-established measures of self-esteem, life satisfaction, happiness, and mental well-being, as reported in the gratitude literature. The confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) results indicated that the 5-item version possessed better construct validity than the original version. The CFA results also supported a unidimensional factor structure for the GQ-5 after post-hoc modifications. Conclusions The findings suggest that the GQ-5 demonstrates better psychometric properties compared to the original GQ-6. These results will assist researchers in choosing the appropriate version of the Gratitude Questionnaire for research studies conducted in different Chinese contexts. Preregistration This study is not preregistered.