Social construction of gratitude: combined effect of contextual factors and benefactor-recipient relationships on interpersonal gratitude

Jiaci Lin, Keli Yin (), Yunpeng Zhang and Yan Qu
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Jiaci Lin: Yunnan Normal University
Keli Yin: Yunnan Normal University
Yunpeng Zhang: Yunnan Normal University
Yan Qu: Yunnan Normal University

Palgrave Communications, 2024, vol. 11, issue 1, 1-14

Abstract: Abstract Although gratitude has been extensively studied, the combined effects of multiple determinants on gratitude have not been thoroughly examined, particularly within Chinese cultural contexts. Through four studies (N = 992), we explored how contextual factors (helping motive attributions and types of help) and benefactor-recipient relationship (horizontal and vertical relationships) inform interpersonal gratitude. The results revealed that recipients experienced more gratitude when help was attributed to autonomous motivation rather than controlled motivation; autonomy-oriented help elicited more gratitude from recipients than dependency-oriented help. Additionally, the benefactor-recipient relationship had a significant impact on the recipients’ experience of gratitude. Importantly, across both horizontal and vertical relationships, the results provided evidence supporting the interactive effects of different types of help and benefactor-recipient relationships on interpersonal gratitude. Our findings highlight the role of how multiple determinants shaped gratitude, which offer a more nuanced perspective on the formation of gratitude in Chinese cultural contexts.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1057/s41599-024-04283-9

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