Gratitude, gratitude intervention and well-being in Malaysia

Noor, Noraini M. and Abdul Rahman, Nur Diana and Mohamad Zahari, Muhammad Idlan Afiq (2018) Gratitude, gratitude intervention and well-being in Malaysia. The Journal of Behavioral Science, 13 (2). pp. 1-18. ISSN 1906-4675

	PDF - Published Version Restricted to Registered users only Download (624kB) | Request a copy
Preview	PDF (SCOPUS) - Supplemental Material Download (162kB) | Preview
Preview	PDF (WOS) - Supplemental Material Download (283kB) | Preview

Abstract

Gratitude has generally been neglected by psychologists due to the emphasis on the medical model. A dearth of research on gratitude in Malaysia was the main impetus for these studies. Study 1 compared the gratitude scores Malaysian Malays against the US, UK, China and Japan, along an individualist-collective continuum, and results showed Malays had lower gratitude scores than the others, except for the Japanese. To increase their gratitude scores, Study 2 carried out an intervention using ‘the three good things’ exercise on 59 students over a period of 14 days. The intervention increased gratitude and life satisfaction as well as reduced distress. Furthermore, a hierarchical regression examining the effect of gratitude on well-being controlling for measures of affect and religiosity at Time 1, showed that Time-2 gratitude was only predictive of Time-2 distress. The results are discussed with respect to the collectivist culture of the Malays where negative aspects of the self are valued as a form of self-criticism to help one to constantly improve oneself. Two main implications are noted: that there are cross-cultural differences in the way gratitude is understood and expressed in the Malay culture, and that engaging in positive activity may sometimes be counterproductive to well-being.

Item Type:	Article (Journal)
Additional Information:	1099/32119
Uncontrolled Keywords:	gratitude, three good things exercise, individualist and collective cultures, life satisfaction, distress
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HM Sociology H Social Sciences > HM Sociology > HM1001 Social psychology
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences > Department of Sociology & Anthropology
Depositing User:	Professor Noraini M. Noor
Date Deposited:	12 Feb 2019 11:43
Last Modified:	15 Jul 2019 09:15
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/32119

Actions (login required)

View Item