Hidden Power of Thank You: Expressions and Impact of Gratitude in Religious Families: Results From a Qualitative Data Analysis.
By Erin Smidt, Isabella Thompson, Juliana Herrera-Arias, and David Allsop
April 1, 2026
This blog is a summary of our published article:
Chelladurai, J. M., Marks, L. D., Dollahite, D. C., Kelley, H. H., & Allsop, D. B. (2023). The Hidden Power of “Thank You”: Exploring Aspects, Expressions, and the Influence of Gratitude in Religious Families. Psych, 5(3), 742-756.
Photo by FatCamera on iStock
Gratitude has been extensively studied across areas such as parental, sibling, marital, and romantic relationships, however little research has been conducted on why and how religion influences gratitude [1; 2; 3; 4]. By understanding how religion influences gratitude we can promote gratitude within the family unit and strengthen both couple and parent-child relationships [5; 6].
Purpose of the Study
The researchers wanted to examine how and why religion influences gratitude in family life and how gratitude influences relationships in religious families.
What did we do?
Participants included 198 families composed of mothers, fathers, and children from either Christian, Jewish, or Muslim religious backgrounds. The average age of mothers in the study was 45, the average age of fathers was 47, and the average age of children was 16. The average marital length was twenty years. During the interviews, no direct questions about gratitude were asked, but it emerged as a recurrent theme.
What did we find?
Gratitude prompted participants to see their family relationships in a more positive light. By expressing or reflecting gratitude, participants were able to see the value and care of their loved ones, leading to a greater sense of appreciation within the family unit. Gratitude also functioned to reinforce religious faith within families. Participants often expressed gratitude directly to God, and gratitude practices such as prayer, rituals, and daily expressions of thanks created continuous opportunities for individuals to connect their lived experiences with their faith. Additionally, three themes emerged: (a) aspects of gratitude, (b) expressions of gratitude, and (c) the influence of gratitude.
Aspects of Gratitude: Two aspects of gratitude were identified, functional and directional. The functional aspect of gratitude is what people were grateful for, such as their family, religious faith, and blessings. The directional aspect of gratitude is to who participants expressed gratitude, such as their spouse, children, or God.
Expressions of Gratitude: Expressions of gratitude refer to the way participants communicated or demonstrated gratitude. Gratitude often appeared as a relational practice, involving two or more family members. Expressions of gratitude were connected and expressed through shared religious practices, like prayer.
Influence of Gratitude: Participants reported two ways that gratitude impacted them and their lives. Gratitude prompted a positive re-evaluation of their relationships and reinforced their religious faith.
What does this mean?
Gratitude positively contributes to relationship formation, maintenance, reported relational satisfaction, and the reinforcement of religious faith. Gratitude not only nurtures relationships but also acts as a sustaining purpose in one’s religious life. By developing a deeper understanding of what allows religion to influence gratitude, clinicians and individuals can be better prepared to promote gratitude in families, allowing for a positive impact on couple and parent-child relationships. Clinicians can also incorporate gratitude exercises into family therapy, use gratitude as a tool in religious education, and design programs or interventions that integrate both faith and gratitude.
Image by Jacob Wackerhausen on iStock
References
[1] Ter Kuile, H.; Kluwer, E.S.; Finkenauer, C.; Van Der Lippe, T. Predicting adaptation to parenthood: The role of responsiveness, gratitude, and trust. Pers. Relatsh. 2017, 24, 663–682. https://doi.org/10.1111/pere.12202
[2] Amaro, L.M.; Miller, K.I. Discussion of care, contribution, and perceived (in)gratitude in the family caregiver and sibling relationship. Pers. Relatsh. 2016, 23, 98–110. https://doi.org/10.1111/pere.12113
[3] Barton, A.W.; Futris, T.G.; Nielsen, R.B. Linking financial distress to marital quality: The intermediary roles of demand/withdraw and spousal gratitude expressions. Pers. Relatsh. 2015, 22, 536–549. https://doi.org/10.1111/pere.12094
[4] Algoe, S.B.; Gable, S.L.; Maisel, N.C. It’s the little things: Everyday gratitude as a booster shot for romantic relationships. Pers. Relatsh. 2010, 17, 217–233. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-6811.2010.01273.x
[5] Gordon, C.L.; Arnette, R.A.M.; Smith, R.E. Have you thanked your spouse today? Felt and expressed gratitude among married couples. Pers. Individ. Dif. 2011, 50, 339–343. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2010.10.012
[6] Alfieri, S.; Tagliabue, S.; Marta, E.; Aresi, G.; Lanz, M.; Pozzi, M. Gratitude as a Variable of Mediation between Parental Support and Self-Esteem in Adolescence. J. Child Fam. Stud. 2018, 27, 1394–1401. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-017-1001-4
