Relations among gratitude, adaptation to disability, and flourishing among adults with disabilities: A longitudinal mediation model.

Abstract

Purpose/Objective: Flourishing, a primary outcome of rehabilitation psychology, is understudied among adults with disabilities. Gratitude has emerged as an individual strength that is both malleable and robust in predicting flourishing and adaptation to disability. The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of gratitude on flourishing over time and to analyze the potential mediating role of adaptation to disability on this relationship for a group of adults with disabilities. Research Method/Design: Data were collected at 3 time points over 21 months (N = 429). A single mediator model with external demographic variables was tested to determine the relationship of gratitude (Time 1) with adaptation to disability (Time 2) and flourishing (Time 3). Approximately 40% of the initial sample was retained across all time points. Results: Gratitude predicted later flourishing and adaptation to disability accounted for a significant portion of this relationship, accounting for 27% of the total effect. Conclusions/Implications: Results of this single mediator model indicate that adaptation to disability serves as a partial mediator of the relationship between gratitude and flourishing, with both gratitude and adaptation to disability having a significantly positive influence on flourishing. Understanding gratitude's influence on later adaptation and flourishing provides data to inform rehabilitation psychology interventions. Impact and ImplicationsGratitude shares theoretical ties with flourishing and serves as a robust predictor of adaptation and flourishing. Gratitude predicted later adaption and flourishing in our longitudinal study. Gratitude interventions may be particularly useful for individuals with disabilities who are coping with adversity and are adaptable to personal preference.

Grit and Gratitude as Predictors of Flourishing In Post-Pandemic Students

“…Research conducted by Tessy et al (2022), which examined the correlation between gratitude and forgiveness on flourishing, also strengthens the results of this study that gratitude affects the flourishing rate and has a greater contribution to increasing flourishing than other criterion variables, namely forgiveness. Another study that corroborated the results revealed that gratitude influenced flourishing by 27% with adjustments to disability as a moderator variable (Phillips et al, (2022).…”

The Association between PTSD, Gratitude, Academic Adjustment, and Dropout Decisions in Veteran Students with Disabilities: Brief Report

“…Gratitude at the trait level, which describes the steady tendency to respond to certain types of emotional responses, is defined as the predisposition to be aware of when the self is a benefactor of some positive outcome or good deed, often attributed to the actions of other people (McCullough et al, 2002). Multiple studies demonstrate that gratitude could function as a protective factor by facilitating the development of social relationships, and that people who have higher levels of gratitude tend to exhibit fewer negative perceptions of themselves and others (Lee, 2022;Phillips et al, 2022;Smith et al, 2016;Wood et al, 2010;. Studies among student veterans also suggest that gratitude may buffer their psychological health risks by demonstrating negative associations with perceived stress and suicidal ideation Valikhani et al, 2019).…”

Service-Connected Disability and Happiness in Student Veterans: A Parallel Mediation Study of PERMA

“…Emphasizing positive psychological traits to promote happiness in individuals with disabilities can further benefit rehabilitation research, clinical practice, and consumer experiences (Chou et al, 2013; Dunn & Dougherty, 2005). Therefore, rehabilitation researchers and practitioners have been advocating for a paradigm shift from examining deficits in disability to focusing on positive psychosocial factors, including happiness (Chou et al, 2013; Dunn & Dougherty, 2005; Dunn et al, 2009; Fortuna et al, 2020; Huck et al, 2022; Grenawalt et al, 2022; Lee, 2022; Lee, Rumrill, et al, 2022; Lee, Rumril, Tansey, 2022; Moser et al, 2020; Phillips et al, 2022; Sánchez et al, 2019; Umucu, Lee, Berwick, et al, 2022; Umucu, Reyes, Carrola, et al, 2021; Umucu, Tansey, et al, 2021; Umucu, Wu, et al, 2020).…”