GRATITUDE AFFECTS SELF-ESTEEM 1

Philippine Normal University

National Center for Teacher Education
Faculty of Behavioral and Social Sciences
Taft Avenue, Manila

Gratitude Affects Self-Esteem:

When Being Thankful Counts

Dezza C. Caspe

Jean Lois F. Condeza

Micka Jeanna T. Cruz

Rey Janwin R. Diaz

Aliyah Chelsea W. Hao

John Mark C. Lugo

IV-11 BS PScyhology

Maryfe Roxas, PhD, RGC, CSIOP, CSCOP

Course Professor
 GRATITUDE AFFECTS SELF-ESTEEM

Abstract

Self-esteem is a factor that affects the thoughts and feelings of students and it is one of the key

factors for their educational success. Gratitude is scientifically proven beneficial to different

social variables, such as prosocial behavior (Froh, Sefick et al, 2008), positive relationships

(Wood, Joseph, & Maltby, 2009), forgiveness (DeShea, 2003), trust (Dunn & Schweitzer, 2005),

and to self-esteem as well (Chen & Wu, 2013). The purpose of this study is to explore the direct

relationship of gratitude in enhancing the self-esteem of undergraduate students. Thus, this study

particularly focused on the self-esteem of Outcomes Based Teacher Education Curriculum

students in Philippine Normal University-Manila. This experimental study gathered forty-eight

Outcomes Based Teacher Education Curriculum students of Philippine Normal University-

Manila. The data were gathered using a 10-item scale that measures global self-worth by

measuring both positive and negative feelings about self that is adopted from Rosenberg. After

two weeks of intervention there is a significant increase on the self-esteem of experiment group

compared to the control group. The study tested if probing the things that the students are

grateful of is an effective way in enhancing their self-esteem.

Keywords: self-esteem, gratitude, broaden-and-build theory

Gratitude is scientifically proven beneficial to different social variables, such as prosocial

behavior (Froh, Sefick et al, 2008), positive relationships (Wood, Joseph, & Maltby, 2009),

forgiveness (DeShea, 2003), trust (Dunn & Schweitzer, 2005), and to self-esteem as well (Chen

& Wu, 2013). A grateful mindset is known to be a powerful tool towards positive experience.

This leads them to failure of noticing a range of benefits in which gratitude is linked.

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Gratitude is a positive emotion people feel whenever they think of things they perceive as

worthy of appreciation. Therefore, it could be the recognition of ones success or positive

experience as caused by other people (Emmons & Mishra, 2011) or could be associated towards

the situation itself (Emmons & McCullough, 2003). There are times people feel more thankful

with the presence of other people whom they value and cared for. One can also feel grateful

when they experience unusual things or happenings only they, or only a few of them, have gone

through. Moreover, achieved goals, aspirations, desires and ambitions could add up to a persons

level of gratefulness.

William James defined self-esteem as the satisfaction or dissatisfaction with oneself.

Hence, self-esteem is how we measure our worth as humans, how good and valuable we are

(Neff, 2011). Self-esteem also pertains to how people value themselves and how valuable they

think they are for others. High levels of self-esteem could be achieved by having an accepting

and affectionate surroundings or by receiving favorable performance feedbacks. There are times

when people feel more satisfied with themselves whenever they compare their achievements or

performances with other people and realized they have done better than them. If people evaluate

themselves and found out that they are far from their ideal selves, this could lead to

disappointment (Mruk, 2006). This negative emotion could result to lower levels of self-esteem.

Self-esteem and gratitude on adolescent athletes were linked and found that high self-

esteem has benefits essential for the development of athletes (Chen and Wu, 2013). Although a

positive association between gratitude and daily self-esteem has been empirically established

(Kashdan, Uswatte, & Julian, 2006), gratitude as a tool to enhance self-esteem has not been

examined. Such examination is theoretically essential because longitudinal studies help

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researchers understand the function of gratitude in self-esteem. It also practically helps coaches

and others involved know how to promote self-esteem in students.

There are studies conducted to link gratitude with self-esteem, however, there is a dearth

of studies focusing on regular students. The primary purpose of the study is to examine whether

a grateful outlook leads to enhanced self-esteem. The basic assumption is that gratitude has an

effect on the self-esteem of a person. In this study, we suggest that listing gratitude and neutral

life events jointly shape ones self-esteem over time. A self-guided exercise was designed to

induce a state of gratitude. It was also then utilized to heighten self-esteem relative to a focus on

neutral life events. We predict participants belonging to the gratitude condition have higher self-

esteem compared to those on the neutral condition.

Definitions of Gratitude

From the growing research for positive psychology, gratitude has been one of the most

interesting topics that has been popular among psychologists from personality, social,

developmental, clinical and spiritual perspectives. Gratitude may be broadly defined as the

appreciation of what is valuable and meaningful to oneself. It represents a general state of

thankfulness and/or appreciation (Sansone & Sansone, 2010). It is also defined as the

appreciation of the situations on times one is grateful (McCullogh, Emmons, & Larson, 2001). It

is considered to be essential for human moral and prosocial behavior and interaction

(McCullough et al. 2001, as cited by Lin, 2015). The main reason as to why people express

gratitude, as researchers suggest, can be traced back to our evolutionary response about

repayment. It was seen as an individuals way of giving back to the society (McCullough, 2001,

as cited in Algoe & Zhaoyang, 2015).

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In literature, gratitude has been characterized as a state and a trait (Kong, Ding, & Zhao,

2014). Being a state, gratitude can be conceptualized as a subjective emotion of wonder,

thankfulness, appreciation, and recognition for life (Emmons & Shelton, 2002). As a

dispositional trait, gratitude is understood as a virtue or characteristic of people, and can vary in

intensity, frequency, and span (McCullough et al. 2002; Wood et al. 2008). Gratitude, as a

positive trait, involves both cognitive and affective elements. Those with high levels of gratitude

tend to see and enjoy the positivity in the world (Wood et al., 2010) and they tend to express

their grateful feelings across different contexts (Chen & Wu, 2014).

Self-Esteem in Literature

Self-esteem, same as gratitude, is also a crucial component in an individuals life. It is

beneficial in order to keep and increase feelings of self-worth and value. Self-esteem is defined

as the complication of feelings about ourselves that guides our behavior, influences our attitudes,

and drives our motivation. The ability to feel capable and have a sense of value about oneself are

indicators of the level of self-esteem a person has (Dedmond, 2009). According to Barrow

(2009) as cited by Hisken (2011), self-esteem is the ability to cope with lifes challenges, the

feeling of being worthy and deserving, and the right to enjoy the product of hard work. A study

by Knightly and Whitelock (2007) as cited by Ulrich (2010), found that self-esteem is shaped

both individually and socially. Self-esteem is not a fixed characteristic; it constantly changes

(Lyness, 2015). For some individual, they rely it on different perspectives: for example, looks,

the amount of love they receive, or being good academically, while for others it could be based

on being influential, independent or honorable (Crocker & Luhtanen, 2003). Individuals with

high self-esteem believe that they have assets worth loving and other people see them as

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significant relationship associates. (Murray et al., 2006). In contrast, individual with low self-

esteem constitutionally doubt their own worth and value (Murray, Griffin, et al., 2003 as cited by

McCarthy, 2015), causing them to act in a more cautious and self-protective manner. Yet,

according to a study on children conducted by Egertson (2006), having a very high self-esteem is

not always healthy because, a child becomes arrogant and tend to exaggerate their ideas of what

they can do which can lead to poor results.

Gratitude and Self-Esteem: A Relationship

Many studies correlated gratitude with other different variable such as prosocial

behaviors (Bartlett and DeSteno, 2006), well-being (Emmons and McCullough, 2003), health

(Wood, Joseph, Lloyd, & Atkins, 2009), materialism (Polak & McCullough, 2006), and to self-

esteem as well. Several recent studies showed that there is a positive relationship between

gratitude and self-esteem. As stated in the moral affect theory, gratitude can be important

because focusing on receiving benefits from other people can enhance self-esteem and self-

respect (McCullough et al. 2001 as cited by Lin, 2015). Also, according to Fredricksons

broaden-and-build model of positive emotions, positive emotions broaden peoples cognition and

behavior tendencies, and build their lasting personal resources that can be useful in the future.

Therefore, gratitude could perhaps increase their levels of self-esteem. Another study done by

Chen and Wu (2014) says individuals with high levels of gratitude have the tendency to have

higher self-esteem because they are more likely to perceive support from other individuals. A

study that was conducted by Toussaint and Friedman (2009) found that individuals with high

levels of gratitude were more likely to evaluate themselves positively. Thus, feeling grateful

would have positive effects in an individuals self-esteem.

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Previous studies conducted revealed that gratitude has several benefits, including such on

an individuals self-esteem. Thus, this study will give approval and will support that practicing

gratitude and being grateful enhances self-esteem.

Increased
Gratitude
Self-Esteem

Figure 1. The research paradigm.

For the present study, two variables are present: 1) practicing gratitude, being the

independent variable, while 2) self-esteem is the dependent variable. The dependent variable will

be measured through a 10-item Likert scale made by Rosenberg. The participants in the

experimental group were asked to list things they are grateful for; meanwhile participants in the

control group were asked to list neutral events that happened to them for the past three days. The

participants will be listing at least once every three days. After 12 days of practicing gratitude,

the participants will be given a post test by answering again the Self-Esteem Scale. We assume

that participants in experimental group will get higher score than the control group. Results that

are limited to the short-term only will be presented; the effects of gratitude on self-esteem of

college students will be examined.

Gratitude as an interpersonal emotion is caused by receiving overt help (Lane &

Anderson, 1976; McCullough et al., 2001; Tesser, Gatewood, & Driver, 1968). Wood, Maltby,

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Stewart, Linley, and Joseph (2008) investigated why grateful people experienced more gratitude

following help. McCullough and Tsang et al. (2004) have previously shown that trait and state

levels of gratitude were linked. The emotion of gratitude is pleasant to experience (Gallup,

1999), and the more frequent experience of positive emotions may change the hedonic balance of

positive to negative affect, leading to greater life satisfaction.

Broaden-and-built theory (Fredrickson, 1998, 2001) suggests that each positive emotion

has a unique evolutionary purpose, and a discrete function. Positive emotions broaden thought to

encourage cognitive and behavioral activities that will build resources that can be utilized during

the next stressful period such as creativity, curiosity (Kashdan & Rottenberg, 2006), planning, or

various enjoyable activities that build resources, physical playing which increases stamina as an

example. There is now a very large body of evidence supporting this position (Fredrickson &

Branigan, 2005; Johnson & Fredrickson, 2005). The general benefits of positive affect, broaden-

and-build theory suggests that each positive emotion also has a discrete evolutionary based

benefit.

Fredrickson (2004) suggests that gratitude operates in a fashion wherein gratitude could

serve to build social bonds during unstressful times, which would then become an additional

resource of the person. This would be compatible with more grateful people orientating towards

higher thankfulness following help.

This study has a purpose of examining and better understands the effects of a grateful

outlook on the self-esteem of a person. We wanted to prove whether relative to focusing on

neutral events in life, a focus on counting one's blessings could lead to enhanced confidence on

one's own worth or abilities which is the self-esteem. With the previous studies and theories we

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have found, we predict that recognizing blessing or the things a person is grateful for will lead to

heightened self-esteem over time relative to a focus on neutral events. People need to focus more

on the favorable or positive and to recognize and appreciate the goodness in people. We

therefore hypothesize that people under the gratitude condition would show enhanced self-

esteem. We believe this research entails to the knowledge about gratitude as an enhancer of self-

esteem. If potential lasting effect of gratitude-inducing intervention is possible, then significant

effects of a brief but effective one would also exist.

Methods

Participants

The sample population was 48 undergraduate students from 11 different academic

programs under the Outcomes-Based Teacher Education Curriculum (OBTEC) of Philippine

Normal University. The participants who agreed to participate in this study consist of 13 men

and 35 women, of which 6% were freshmen, 75% were sophomores and 19% were juniors. The

ranges of ages are from 17 years old to 23 years old.

Procedure

Before the start of the process, we gave excuse letters to the professors asking for

permission to use their class and time. We introduced the information about the study to the

participants and handed out consent forms to those who agreed to participate.

We conducted a 10-item survey about self-esteem as a pretest on 300 OBTEC students of

Philippine Normal University. Out of the 300 participants, 94 students got a normal score

ranging from 15-25 which made them eligible to participate on the experiment. The 94 students

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were invited to participate on the experiment but only 48 students responded on the invitation.

The 48 participants were randomly divided into two different conditions; the neutral condition

being the control group and gratitude condition being the experimental group. Each group

consists of 24 students who were randomly selected to know which condition they belong.

The participants in both conditions were given color-coded booklets. Each booklet has

different instructions based on their relative condition. For the experimental group, participants

were asked to list the top five things or events they value and they are thankful or grateful for.

Examples of the experiences they were grateful for are: meeting a person of great status,

having a dinner with an extended family, being safe everyday, and listening to Korean

songs.

On the control group, participants were asked to list the top five neutral things or events.

Neutral things or events can be classified as both positive and negative. Examples of neutral

experiences listed by the participants are: looking for an alternative way to school, being in

love, seeing former professors, and buying a new charger for a laptop.

Participants from both conditions were instructed to write for two weeks with an interval

of three days. We checked the booklets of each participant every third day in both condition to

monitor if they were able to accomplish the given task.

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Instrument

The tool used was the Rosenbergs Self-Esteem Scale which is a 10-item scale that

measures both positive and negative feelings about an individual. The scale is believed to be uni-

dimensional. All items are answered using a 4-point Likert scale format ranging from strongly

agree to strongly disagree (Rosenberg, 1965).

For scoring, items 2, 5, 6, 8, 9 are reverse scored. The scores that corresponds for

Strongly Disagree is 1 point, Disagree 2 points, Agree 3 points, and Strongly Agree 4

points. The sum of the scores for all of the item is ten. Higher scores indicate higher levels of

self-esteem.

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Results

It is hypothesized that making people acknowledge the things in their life that they are

grateful for enhances self-esteem. The study revealed that people in the gratitude condition

acquired higher self-esteem compared from those in the neutral condition.

Table 1. Pre-Test and Post Test of Control Group

Control Group M T df

Pre-Test 2.270833333
0.454246047* 23
Post Test 2.275

Note. * = p > .05

In control group, the pre-test and post test showed no significant change in their self-esteem

between the pre-test and post test, p value is 0.45, p > 0.05.

Table 2. Pre-Test of Control and Experimental Group

Pre-Test M T df

Control Group 2.270833

0.277356823* 23
Experimental Group 2.220833333

Note. * = p > .05

The pre-test of both groups yielded a score of 0.277, p > 0.05; therefore the two groups

pre-test do not show a significant difference in their self-esteem.

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Table 3 Pre-Test and Post Test of Experimental Group

Experimental Group M T df

Pre-Test 2.220833333
0.001359526* 23
Post Test 2.4625

Note. * = p < .05

In the experimental group, the pre-test and post test yielded a value of 0.001, p < 0.05.

Therefore, there is a change in self-esteem within the experimental group.

Table 4 Post Test of Control and Experimental Group

Post Test M T df

Control Group 2.275

0.045137134* 23
Experimental Group 2.4625

Note. * = p < .05

The experimental and control groups post test yielded a result of 0.045, p < 0.05;

therefore the two groups post test showed a difference in their self-esteem.

Discussion

It appeared that being grateful is a factor that enhances an individuals self-esteem

(0.045, p < 0.05). Those people in the gratitude condition have higher self-esteem compared to

those in the neutral condition, after being exposed to the treatment, within two weeks, change

were seen in relation to the quality of diary inputs (e.g. from being grateful because of class

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suspension to grateful that I spent time with my family). The results also showed that people

in the control group acquired no significant change in their self-esteem compared to those in the

experimental group. The magnitude of change cannot be contradicted in relation of writing

blessings.

Gratitude is also a vital part of a social process. People with higher self-esteem tend to

socialize well than those who have lower levels of self-esteem (Mecca, Smelser, & Vasconcellos,

1989). Our self-esteem has an effect on how we perceive ourselves o social matters (Isaksen,

2013). Cooleys (1998) concept of the looking glass self states that a persons self grows out of

a persons social interactions with others.

The results showed that practicing gratitude is indeed beneficial to an individuals self-

esteem. Listing experiences we are grateful for greatly contributes in our self-esteem. This

method can help those people struggling with low levels of self-esteem. And in a way, doing

self-report assessments, such as done by the respondents, help us to introspect. This produces a

chance to see the repeating patterns that is detrimental to one's self-esteem levels.

In addition, the bustling city life makes people forget about small things that is crucial for

a fulfilling life. As previously mentioned, people need to appreciate the things happening in

current society because that way, the focus will be deviated away from the negative things

happening around. Who would have thought that listing small experiences would create a big

difference on our positive experience.

It is also mentioned by Fredrickson (2001) that if emotions are broadened, in this case,

self-esteem, an individual can build it to become lasting. Gratitude is the positive emotion that

was broadened within the students of Philippine Normal University that helped them build

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another positive personal resource which is self-esteem. Students of Philippine Normal

University under OBTEC were the chosen participants in the study since they fit in the normal

range of Rosenbergs scale of self-esteem.

Gratefulness helps a person appreciate or value the things, events and people. If a person

receives an act and appreciates it there is a tendency that the same act would be reciprocated

towards others (McCullough et al., 2002). Example in the study conducted, a student wrote in

her booklet that she was grateful of receiving chocolate from her mother, and on the following

week she wrote that she gave chocolates to her mother too. We feel grateful if we perceived that

others support and accept us for who we are and what we do thus it promotes a persons self-

esteem.

Normal to high levels of self-esteem have positive impacts that are noticeable. One of the

participants has written in the booklet that she was grateful to meet new friends. Therefore could

help people enhance their social skills, and add confidence to students facing difficulty in

participating to classroom activities (Aspinwall, 1998; Folkman & Moskowitz, 2000 cited by

Emmons & McCullogh, 2003).

But this is not to say that acknowledging neutral experiences, an experience cannot be

stated as truly positive or negative, have no effect our self-esteem at all. We believe both are

beneficial relative to ones self-esteem. However, the value of gratitude is what should be

cultivated more if the goal is to achieve higher self-esteem.

Limitations

The study has limitations that should be taken into consideration. This study relied on

self-reported data, which common method variance is possible (Lindell & Whitney, 2001). We

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also relied on self-reported questionnaire to measure the individuals self-esteem. Although

Rosenbergs scale is reliable, however, the study is not vulnerable from social desirability bias.

The participants may include experiences they think is favorable. Also, the participants

willingness to put effort in answering every three days might differ from each participant.

The length of the study is also important to take into consideration. The time range a

person should write needs to be held on more studies as well. We chose to let the participants

write every three days on a span of almost two weeks. On the study conducted by Emmons and

McCollough (2003), they checked the list weekly on a span of 10 weeks. The variety of dates

and times of writing may have an effect to the levels of self-esteem of each person.

Despite some considerations, we believe the study paved a way in understanding how

gratitude is considered as a cognitive strategy to increase levels of self-esteem. Self-help

strategies, like the one done in the study is beneficial for the increase of self-esteem in an

individual. However, many questions need to be carried on future researches. Can we cultivate

gratitude between men and women? There are studies that show women are more likely to

express gratitude than men (Kashdan, 2009). And men are more likely to struggle with self-

esteem issues than girls (Miller, 2009). In what way does gender affect the way on how people

express gratitude? What are the other forms of intervention should be utilized to increase an

individuals self-esteem? The following questions can only be found by the growing research

about gratitude.

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Appendices

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Name:
Year and Section:
Sex:
Age:
Contact No.:

Rosenbergs Self-Esteem Scale

Instruction: Below is a list of statements dealing with your general feelings about yourself.
Please indicate how strongly you agree or disagree with each statement. Check your preferred
response.

Strongly Agree Disagree Strongly

Agree Disagree

1. On the whole, I am satisfied with myself.

2. At times I think I am no good at all.
3. I feel that I have a number of good qualities.
4. I am able to do things as well as most other
people.
5. I feel I do not have much to be proud of.
6. I certainly feel useless at times.
7. I feel that I'm a person of worth, at least on
an equal plane with others.
8. I wish I could have more respect for myself.
9. All in all, I am inclined to feel that I am a
failure.
10. I take a positive attitude toward myself.

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Consent to Participate in Research

You are being asked to participate in a research study conducted by Jean Lois Condeza,
Dezza Caspe, John Mark Lugo, Aliyah Chelsea Hao, Rey Janwin Diaz and Micka Jeanna Cruz
from IV-11 BS Psychology. Should you decide to participate in this research study, you will be
asked to sign this consent form once all your questions have been answered to your satisfaction.
You will be asked to answer a series of question about gratitude and self-esteem.

We do not perceive more than minimal risks from your involvement in this study (that is,
no risks beyond the risks associated with everyday life). Potential benefits from participation in
this study include the awareness that gratitude has its effects in the self-esteem of a person. The
results of this research will be presented at conference. The results of this project will be coded
in such a way that the respondents identity will not be attached to the final form of this study.
The researcher retains the right to use and publish non-identifiable data. While individual
responses are confidential, aggregate data will be presented representing averages or
generalizations about the responses as a whole. All data will be stored in a secure location
accessible only to the researcher. Upon completion of the study, all information that matches up
individual respondents with their answers will be destroyed.

Your participation is entirely voluntary. You are free to choose not to participate. Should
you choose to participate, you can withdraw at any time without consequences of any kind. If
you have questions or concerns during the time of your participation in this study, or after its
completion or you would like to receive a copy of the final aggregate results of this study, please
contact us.

I have read this consent form and I understand what is being requested of me as a participant in
this study. I freely consent to participate. I have been given satisfactory answers to my questions.
The investigator provided me with a copy of this form.
______________________________________ ______________
Name and Signature of Participant Date
Jean Lois Condeza John Mark Lugo Micka Jeanna Cruz
jlocondeza@gmail.com lugojmc@yahoo.com mickajeannacruz@gmail.com
Dezza Caspe Aliyah Chelsea Hao Rey Janwin Diaz
dezzacaspe@yahoo.com aliyahhao@yahoo.com reyjan.diaz@yahoo.com

Dr. Maryfe M. Roxas

Adviser

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 GRATITUDE AFFECTS SELF-ESTEEM

January 16 February 20, 2017

Philippine Normal University

Faculty of Behavioral and Social Sciences
Taft Avenue, Manila

Sir/Maam:

We, the students of IV-11 BS Psychology, are requesting for your humble permission for your
class be excused because we would like to give them a short survey about self-esteem as a part of
our research for the course Experimental Research entitled Gratitude Affects Self-Esteem: When
Being Thankful Counts. The questionnaire we will give is Rosenbergs Self-Esteem Scale that is
composed of 10 items.

Thank you for your kind consideration.

Caspe, Dezza

Condeza, Jean Lois

Cruz, Micka Jeanna

Diaz, Rey Janwin

Hao, Aliyah Chelsea

Lugo, John Mark

Noted by:

Dr. Maryfe Roxas Course Professor

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