The Wishes and Expression of Gratitude of Youth

Authors

  • Jonathan Richard Henry Tudge University of North Carolina
  • Lia Beatriz de Lucca Freitas Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul
  • Irina L. Mokrova University of North Carolina
  • Yudan Chen Wang University of North Carolina
  • Marion O'Brien University of North Carolina

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/1982-43272562201501

Abstract

Little research has examined the development of gratitude in youth, and none has related their gratitude to their wishes. We therefore asked 358 7- to 14-year-old North American participants (56% female; 55% White) to write their greatest wish and what they would do for their benefactor. Using chi-square and linear curve estimation, we found that younger youth (aged 7 to 10) were significantly more likely to express hedonistic wishes (desire for immediate gain) and concrete gratitude (not taking the benefactor's wishes into account); older youth (aged 11 to 14) were significantly more likely to wish either for something involving future well-being for themselves or the well-being of others and connective gratitude (taking into account the benefactor's wishes). Within both age groups, there was a significant inverse relation between hedonistic wishes and connective gratitude. This research has implications for encouraging the feeling and expression of connective gratitude.

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Published

2015-12-01

Issue

Vol. 25 No. 62 (2015)

Section

Articles

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How to Cite

Tudge, J. R. H., Freitas, L. B. de L., Mokrova, I. L., Wang, Y. C., & O'Brien, M. (2015). The Wishes and Expression of Gratitude of Youth. Paidéia (Ribeirão Preto), 25(62), 281-288. https://doi.org/10.1590/1982-43272562201501