The Impact of Gratitude on Coping Styles among Chinese College Students: The Mediating Effects of Perceived Social Support and Self-Esteem

Abstract

In the 21st century, facing immense pressure and challenges, people often exhibit more passive coping styles, such as avoidance or self-blame. Negative coping styles do not fundamentally reduce pressure and challenges; instead, they tend to amplify their impact. Gratitude helps promote more positive coping styles in dealing with life’s challenges, making it necessary to study how gratitude influences coping mechanisms. This study used highly reliable and valid measures of gratitude, Perceived Social Support, Self-Esteem, and the Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire to conduct a cross-sectional survey of 1,666 Chinese college students. The findings were: 1) Gratitude significantly and positively predicts Perceived Social Support, Self-Esteem, and coping styles; 2) Perceived Social Support significantly and positively predicts Self-Esteem and coping styles; 3) Self-Esteem significantly and positively predicts coping styles;
4) Gratitude significantly predicts coping styles through the chain mediation effects of Perceived Social Support and Self-Esteem. This study suggests that we should address the issue at its source by enhancing gratitude education, helping individuals better recognize the social support resources around them. This approach not only helps protect their self-esteem but also leads to more positive coping styles.