Generalized gratitude and prayers of gratitude in marriage

Abstract

ABSTRACT Although gratitude research has begun to examine how gratitude to God or a divine being relates to human behavior research on gratitude in romantic relationships has not yet addressed this type of gratitude. Because gratitude to God is typically expressed through prayer, this study examined whether generalized gratitude and prayers of gratitude were independently related to relationship satisfaction in 95 married couples. Data analysis using the Actor Partner Interdependence Model showed intrapersonal associations (actor effects) between both forms of gratitude and marital satisfaction. Wives’ prayers of gratitude also predicted husbands’ marital satisfaction but not vice versa. This gender difference is explained in terms of gender differences in religious involvement, in gratitude, and in awareness and expression of emotion. The need for including a theistic component in future marital research is emphasized and the implications for work in applied settings are outlined.