The impact of attachment style and emotional intelligence on gratitude across the lifespan.

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Authors
Neary, Gillian
Issue Date
2009
Degree
BA in Psychology
Publisher
Dublin Business School
Rights
Abstract
This study examines the impact of age, attachment style and emotional intelligence on trait gratitude. A snowball sample of 250 participants (76 aged 18 to 25 years, 94 participants aged 26 to 50 years and 80 aged 51 to 79 years) completed a questionnaire which incorporated the Gratitude Questionnaire (GQ-6), the Relationship Questionnaire (RQ) to assess attachment style and the Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire - Short Form (TEIQue-SF). Questions on demographic information were also included in the questionnaire. A between participants and correlational design was employed. The independent variable was gratitude and the dependent variables were age, attachment style and Emotional Intelligence. No significant difference was found in trait gratitude levels based on age (F=0.283, d.f=2, 247, p>0.05) or attachment style(F=0.755, df=3, 246, p>0.05). A moderate positive correlation was found between gratitude and Emotional Intelligence (r=.448, n=250, p<O.Ol, 2-tailed). The study concludes that gratitude is an empathic emotion.
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