Expression of Gratitude and Subjective Well-Being among University Teachers

Abstract

The present study was conducted to investigate the relationship between gratitude and subjective well-being amongst university teachers. It was hypothesized that gratitude is positively related to subjective well-being and that age, gender and gratitude would be positive predictors of subjective well-being. Data was collected from 206 teachers (129 males and 77 females) from Government College University, Lahore and University of Punjab, Lahore. The Gratitude was measured with Gratitude Questionnaire-Six Item Form (GQ-6). Cognitive and affective aspects of subjective well-being were assessed with Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) and The Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS), respectively. Correlation analyses showed significant positive correlations among gratitude, life satisfaction, positive affect and age of teachers. The relationship of gratitude with negative affect was non-significant. There was a positive correlation between subjective well-being and positive affect and a negative correlation of subjective well-being with negative affect. Regression analyses revealed that gratitude and age, not gender, are significant predictors of subjective well-being. Findings of this research provide a meaningful insight about the nature of association between gratitude and subjective well-being in Pakistani culture. The study supports the hypothesis that those who hold higher level of gratitude also have higher level of life satisfaction.