Associations Between Gratitude and Spirituality: An Experience Sampling Approach

The goal of the current study was to examine the daily associations between gratitude and spirituality using experience sampling data. Limited research has used experience sampling methodology (ESM) to examine changes in gratitude across short spans of time. Research has also failed to explore the potential importance of spirituality on these trajectories. The current study had 81 participants answer daily questions about gratitude and spirituality. Results indicated that gratitude significantly increased over the 3-week study period and that both self-reported spirituality and spiritual behaviors (i.e., prayer, meditation) positively contributed to this increase. Findings showcase the effectiveness of bringing awareness to an individual's feelings of gratitude using intervention methods like ESM. Results also highlight the importance of spirituality in increasing feelings of gratitude.