Background
Gratitude has been associated with numerous beneficial outcomes. Much of this research has measured gratitude as a disposition, which can be conceptualized as a life orientation directed at appreciating positive aspects of life. Similarly, optimism refers to a positive outlook on life albeit with a focus on future events and experiences.
Hypotheses/Research Questions
Our goal was to examine the unique effects of gratitude and optimism on physiology and self-reported measures of health behaviors, evaluations of the day, and stress. We hypothesized that both gratitude and optimism would predict better health and wellbeing in daily life. Moreover, we predicted gratitude would be a stronger predictor of evaluations of the best and worst part of the day because of its present-oriented nature, whereas optimism would be a stronger predictor of expectations for the day because of its future-oriented nature.
Sample Characteristics and Sample Size
4,057 (Mage = 42.60; 63.17% male) participants from the US, UK, Australia, Canada, India, Hong Kong, New Zealand, and Singapore completed the study.
Design
Using an Ecological Momentary Assessment method, participants were instructed to complete three check-ins/reports each day for 21 days. They recorded their heart rate and blood pressure and answered questions about their evaluations of the day, stress, and health behaviors.
Results
Trait gratitude and trait optimism each predicted better sleep quality, more exercise, more positive evaluations of the day, greater appreciation towards others, less stress, and lower heart rate and diastolic blood pressure. Gratitude was a stronger predictor of positive reflections of the day and appreciation towards others, whereas optimism was a stronger predictor of sleep quality and stress.
Scientific Contribution
Our findings demonstrate the unique and beneficial effects of gratitude and optimism on physiology, health, and wellbeing in ecologically valid contexts among a large sample of adults.