A Religious Comparative Study on the Influence of Gratitude in Depression from a South Indian State

A Religious Comparative Study on the Influence of Gratitude in Depression from a South Indian State | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article A Religious Comparative Study on the Influence of Gratitude in Depression from a South Indian State Jerin V Philipose, Akash Dubey, Rajneesh Choubisa This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-6737948/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Background: Gratitude is considered one of the 24-character strengths contributing to psychological well-being. Most religions consider gratitude to be a core virtue with spiritual foundations. For many religious individuals, recognizing the positive aspects of life, such as grace and abundance from God or sacred entities, fosters a persistent sense of gratitude. Gratitude can enhance psychological well-being and happiness and reduce depression, especially in a religious context. However, this potential has been less explored, particularly in India. Method: We examined the predictive effect of gratitude in depression from a religious community sample N= 228 from Kerala state in South India, including Hindus (n= 113) and Christians (n= 115), to compare the effects. We utilized Gratitude Questionnaire-6 (GQ-6) to measure gratitude and depression subscale from DASS-21 to measure depression, and data was analyzed using Jamovi software. Results/Findings: Regression analyses combining Christians and Hindus indicated that gratitude is a negative predictor of depression (R²= 0.20, β= -0.42). Separated analyses for communities showed a significant prediction among Hindus (R²= 0.35, β= -0.57) and Christians (R²= 0.06, β= -0.24), wherein a significantly higher effect among Hindus. Independent sample t-test revealed significantly higher gratitude among Christians (Cohen’s d= 0.57) and higher depression among Hindus (Cohen’s d= 0.33). Implications: Research findings show that Hindus may benefit more from gratitude interventions in reducing depression compared to Christians. Further research is required to examine the relationship between gratitude and depression in different regions of India. Gratitude Depression Religious Communities Regression 1 Introduction Gratitude has garnered significant attention in the field of positive psychology as character strength, positive emotion, personality trait, moral virtue, and attitude [1]. Gratitude is a decisive factor that enhances flourishing and well-being, making it one of the most cited concepts in positive psychology [2]. Gratitude is “the general tendency to recognize and appreciate the positive aspects of one’s life circumstances” [3]. Gratitude is also recognized as a sense of wonder that arises from life as a gift and thankfulness for the benefits received [4]. Gratitude has shifted from a focus on only positivity to a more realistic appreciation of thankfulness, even during life's darkest phases, including negative experiences of suffering [1]. Gratitude is regarded as a state related to feelings of thankfulness in specific situations, while trait gratitude involves a consistent sense of appreciation across various circumstances [5]. Major world religions view gratitude as a key virtue in achieving closeness to God and attaining salvation [6]. 1.1 Gratitude among Christians and Hindus All major religions consider gratitude a fundamental and highly valued moral virtue [7]. Throughout history, many references have been made to cultivating gratitude among religious followers [8]. Gratitude is classified under the “transcendence” virtue of character strength, which is strongly related to spirituality and closeness to God [8]. Christianity views gratitude as an essential pathway to salvation [9]. Gratitude is one of the most underlying themes in the prayers, liturgical hymns and rituals in Christianity [9]. The Holy Bible details the need to persevere in thankfulness [9]. Christian theologians advocate for gratitude as a fundamental Christian attitude, teaching believers to be thankful to God above all circumstances [10]. According to Christianity, the existence of the human race depends on feeling grateful for all the good things in life, such as food, family, shelter, and money, all of which come from the ultimate source—God. The main idea of Thanksgiving prayers is the generosity of the Holy Father, who sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to save humanity from alienation and corruption caused by evil influences [9]. Christianity highlights the blessings that can come from adversities, seeing God as a healer who offers comfort during difficult times. Ultimately, it believes everything will unfold according to God's plan [6]. Individuals who regularly read the Bible and attend church tend to experience greater gratitude than those who do not engage with the Bible or church [10]. Hinduism, the third-largest religion in the world, emphasizes the importance of gratitude [11]. In Hinduism, there is an encouragement to express gratitude towards living beings and inanimate objects, such as nature and the environment. This includes reverence for the four essential elements: air, fire, water, and soil [11]. Hindu philosophy posits that gratitude as a transcendental virtue goes beyond the interpersonal gratitude typically triggered by specific individuals, circumstances, or events [11]. Hinduism emphasizes gratitude through the concept of five rnas , or sacred duties, that every believer is expected to fulfill in their lifetime [11]. This concept of gratitude is all-encompassing, addressing personal, interpersonal, and transpersonal dimensions [12]. These five duties include Manuṣya-yajña (towards fellow human beings), Deva-yajña (towards God and nature), Bhūta-yajña (towards the Ecosystem), Brahma-yajña (towards knowledge, skills, and talents), and Pitr-yajña (towards the family, ancestors, and cultural values) [13]. Brahma-yajña emphasizes the importance of gratitude for knowledge, possessions and qualities. Manuṣya-yajña values gratitude in an interpersonal sense, whereas Pitr-yajña aims to honor and repay our ancestors, parents, family, and relatives [11]. Hinduism emphasizes that reverence for parents and ancestors is essential for praying and seeking forgiveness from God [11]. Hindus have a custom of worshiping ancestors on new moon days and celebrating a 15-day festival each year in their memory [11]. Deva-yajña involves expressing gratitude and seeking blessings from God through prayers and rituals, including fasting, meditation, celibacy, and assisting those in need. Bhūta-yajña emphasizes gratitude towards all-natural creations such as oceans, rivers, mountains, trees, birds, animals, the sun, and the solar system. Deva-yajña and Bhūta-yajña together represent the transpersonal aspect of gratitude [11]. In addition, the Bhagavad Gita encourages gratitude for all material and spiritual possessions. In Hinduism, prayers include the chant "namah," which conveys gratitude and reverence for the divine [11]. Recent literature in India has recognized the need for gratitude interventions sensitive to socio-cultural contexts [2, 8]. Unlike collectivist societies such as India, individualistic societies like the US perceive gratitude primarily as a feeling linked to positive emotions. In collectivistic societies, gratitude is often linked to a sense of indebtedness and the obligation to repay the benefactor. Not everyone expresses their gratitude after receiving a favor [2]. When expecting a favor in return from the beneficiary, the feeling of indebtedness may overshadow gratitude, which is perceived as a negative emotion [14]. Collectivistic cultures value the mutual obligations of social relationships more than individualistic cultures [2]. Individualistic people do not express negative feelings of indebtedness, while collectivistic people experience a complex interplay of positive and negative emotions [15]. In individualistic cultures, gratitude is expressed through physical touch, gestures, and verbal appreciation, such as saying 'thank you.' In the Indian context, gratitude is expressed through various actions, such as bestowing titles and touching elders' feet [2]. This reflects the principle of gratitude in Hindu teachings, emphasizing the importance of fulfilling duties and obligations over simply feeling positive through gratitude. Further research from the Indian subcontinent is crucial for scientific progress related to gratitude and its associated interventions. The comparison of gratitude in multireligious societies within a region can provide insights for future studies that examine the prevalence of gratitude intervention studies in Western contexts. 1.2 Gratitude and Depression Depression is commonly viewed as an emotional state defined by the inability to feel pleasure. It is marked by predominant sadness, anger, guilt, and a lack of interest [16]. Depression involves two extremes of emotions where vivacity is low and high negativity [17]. If initial symptoms are neglected, depression may result in severe consequences for social and occupational functioning [16]. WHO considers depression as a significant threat to well-being [18]. Depression is recognized as the most prevalent mental health issue globally and significantly contributes to the worldwide burden of disease [16]. Previous literature shows that gratitude is an important resilience factor to depression [19]. A recent meta-analysis by Iodice et al. [16] confirmed a medium negative relationship between gratitude and depression across diverse demographic contexts. Previous literature among Christians also showed a similar relationship [20, 21]. The benefits of appreciating goodness contrast with the negative aspects of rumination and sadness [22]. Engaging in religious rituals such as prayer, meditation, and pilgrimages can serve as a significant protective factor against depression [23]. Although the gratitude-depression relationship has been widely explored in individualistic Western societies and Christianity, there is a lack of research in multireligious societies like India. This gap hinders our understanding of the potential to introduce gratitude interventions that consider religious sensitivities [8]. So far in the literature, gratitude interventions have shown only modest effects in reducing depression, particularly among college students and older adults [24]. This study of subcultural contexts in Kerala, South India, can pave the way for future research, addressing the lack of conclusions in the Indian religious context [8]. 1.3 The current study We aim to examine the impact of gratitude on depression among Hindus and Christians in Kerala, facilitating future replication studies in contexts beyond Kerala and South India. Although Hindus make up the majority of the population in Kerala (over 50%), it also has a significant Christian population (18%), which differs from other Indian states and highlights the need for demographic comparison [25]. Gratitude is believed to reduce depression, utilizing the Broaden-and-Build theory of positive emotions. Gratitude, according to this theory, broadens momentary cognitive and behavioral repertoires, ultimately building positive resources that enhance psychological well-being [26, 27]. Enhancing psychological well-being also involves reducing symptoms of depression, as both cannot co-occur [19]. Gratitude can help increase low self-esteem and self-worth, especially during episodes of depression when these feelings are significantly compromised. [19]. Gratitude allows for positive interpretations of adverse events, in contrast to the self-critical and punishing perspectives typical of depression [3]. In collectivistic societies, the existence of both positive and negative emotions linked to indebtedness cannot rule out the potential for a positive connection between gratitude and depression [15]. The first hypothesis explores whether gratitude predicts depression in a combined sample of Hindus and Christians. The other two hypotheses involve separate analyses of Hindus and Christians to examine the nuanced differences that arise from their religious identities. H 1 : Gratitude predicts depression among a combined sample of Hindus and Christians. H 2 : Gratitude predicts depression among Hindus. H 3 : Gratitude predicts depression among Christians. In addition to these, we also aim to analyze the differences in gratitude and depression among religious communities. No research has been conducted on religious differences in gratitude and depression within the Indian context. Hence, we hypothesize that, H 4 : There are no significant differences in gratitude and depression in the religious community. 2 Method 2.1 Research Design and Sample Size Estimation According to the aim of this study, we approached Hindu and Christian samples from Kerala state. We used a cross-sectional research design and a snowball sampling method to collect data, ensuring maximum participation within a limited timeframe. We received ethical approval from the institute's human ethics committee before collecting the data. We estimated the sample size using G*Power 3.1 software. An effect size of 0.5 and a statistical power of 0.95 were applied with a two-tailed hypothesis to understand the differences between the two independent groups representing the Hindu and Christian samples we selected. The resultant a priori output suggested a sample size of N= 210, including two groups containing 105 samples each [28]. 2.2 Procedure We collected data using the Google Forms platform, which included an informed consent form detailing the study and a demographic survey to confirm participants' membership in the Hindu and Christian religions. We ensured confidentiality, anonymity, and credibility by effectively encrypting the Google Forms, as outlined by the Helsinki Declaration guidelines [29]. We included an informed consent statement in the introductory part of the document, providing a summary of the study. We selected participants who were over the age of 18 and excluded individuals from other religious communities from this study. We have also excluded Hindus and Christians from other regions of India as a preliminary study to evaluate the local differences. The first author identified 25 participants from various districts in Kerala and distributed the forms. They were then asked to share the Google Forms link with other interested Hindus and Christians. No specific time limit was set to complete the forms, as only two questionnaires took a few minutes. As a result of a snowball effect, 287 completed forms were submitted within one month after initial sharing with 25 participants. We collected the data from September to October 2024. We eliminated outliers from the dataset after removing responses from individuals of other religions and those who identified as having no religion (as noted in the demographic section). This process resulted in a final sample size of N = 228, consisting of 115 Christians (50.4%) and 113 Hindus (49.6%), aligned with the prescribed sample size. Of 228 participants, 163 (71.5%) were females, and the remaining 65 (28.5%) were males. We collected data using validated English questionnaires in India, ensuring all participants had formal education in the English language. 2.3 Measures We utilized Gratitude Questionnaire-6 (GQ-6) to measure proneness to experience gratitude daily [30]. GQ-6 contains six items scored on a 7-point Likert scale ranging from 1 to 7 (strongly disagree to strongly agree). Sample item contains “I am grateful to a wide variety of people.” Items 4 and 6 were reverse-scored to withstand response bias. GQ-6 has been validated in the Indian context [31], and the internal consistency reliability was found to be satisfactory in our study (ω = 0.77). Depression was measured using the Depression subscale of Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) [32]. Depression scale contains seven items scored on a 4-point rating scale extending from 0 to 3 (did not apply to me at all to applied to me very much, or most of the time). Sample item included “I felt that I had nothing to look forward to.” Depression subscale from DASS-21 was also previously validated in the Indian context by Singh et al. [33], and the current study shows internal consistency well above (ω= 0.88) the cut-off criteria. The DASS-21 depression scale is not intended for diagnostic use under ICD or DSM classifications, so using it with a general sample is acceptable. 3 Results We utilized Jamovi (2.6), free open-source software for entire data analyses. We assessed the potential for common method bias (CMB) to determine whether participants' responses to the questionnaire were unbiased. We then analyzed the descriptive and correlation analyses, including demographic variables of religion and gender. We checked hypotheses H 1, H 2 and H 3 using linear regression analysis with gender and religion as control variables to account for the confounding factors. Finally, hypothesis H 4 was checked using an independent sample t-test to examine the differences in religion in study variables of gratitude and depression. 3.1 Common Method Bias Testing (CMB) We utilized Harman’s one-factor and common latent factor tests to check the dataset's Common Method Bias (CMB). CMB occurs when participants respond casually to questionnaire items, leading to bias due to the similarities in response anchors, which ultimately compromises the integrity of the results. Although gratitude and depression are anchored in different responses, we cannot ignore the potential for biased answers. This can occur due to a limited number of items and the likelihood of individuals providing inaccurate responses, especially regarding depression, often motivated by a fear of disclosing their actual condition. Harman’s one-factor test indicated that only 34.8% of the variance was accounted for, below the 50% threshold, thus negating the threat of CMB [ 34 ]. We also tested CMB using a more robust method through a common latent factor test with CFA [ 35 ]. CFA indices through common latent factor showed an overall poor model fit, where (chi-square/degrees of freedom (χ² /df) = 5.21, goodness-of-fit index (GFI) = 0.61, comparative fit index (CFI) = 0.76, root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) = 0.13) and normed fit index (NFI) = 0.73 revealing a low threat of CMB in our dataset. 3.2 Descriptive and Correlational Analyses Descriptive and correlational analyses were analyzed using jamovi software (see Table 1 ). We also analyzed how demographic factors, including religion and gender, relate to our study variables. Gratitude is negatively correlated with depression, while religion has significant negative and positive correlations with gratitude and depression, respectively. Gratitude positively correlated with gender. Table 1 Descriptive analysis and correlation analysis between study variables (N = 228): Variables M SD 1 2 3 1. Religion 1.51 0.50 2. Gender 1.71 0.45 0.15* 3. Gratitude 32.50 5.71 -0.27*** 0.19** 4. Depression 6.44 4.62 0.16* -0.12 -0.45*** *p < 0.05; ** p < 0.01; *** p < 0.001 3.3 Regression Analysis We tested hypothesis H 1 by conducting a linear regression analysis among a combined sample of Christians and Hindus (see Table 2.1 ). We included gender and religion as the control variables. Results from the combined sample showed that gratitude is a negative predictor of depression (R²= 0.36, β= -0.42, p < 0.001). To test the differential predictive effects among Hindus and Christians, we checked the hypothesis H 2 (see Table 2.2 ) among Hindus and H 3 (see Table 2.3 ) among Christians. Regression results showed that the predictive relationship was significantly higher among Hindus (R²= 0.36, β= -0.57, p < 0.001) than among Christians (R²= 0.06, β= -0.24, p < 0.001). Table 2.1 Regression analyses of gratitude on depression in a combined sample (N = 228): Predictor B SE β t R² F Constant 17.69 2.12 8.35 0.20*** 19.2*** Gratitude -0.34 0.05 -0.42*** -6.62 *** p < 0.001 Table 2.2 Regression analyses of gratitude on depression among Hindus (n = 113): Predictor B SE β t R² F Constant 25.20 2.46 10.24 0.36*** 31.2*** Gratitude -0.51 0.07 -0.57*** -7.44 *** p < 0.001 Table 2.3 Regression analyses of gratitude on depression among Christians (n = 115): Predictor B SE β t R² F Constant 12.48 2.51 4.96 0.06*** 3.85*** Gratitude -0.19 0.07 -0.24*** -2.58 *** p < 0.001 3.4 Religious Differences in Study Variables We conducted an independent samples t-test to analyze differences in variables based on religious membership (see Table 3 ). We analyzed normality through the Shapiro-Wilk test and the homogeneity of variances through Levene’s test. Both tests showed satisfying results to proceed with the independent sample t-test. Religious comparisons conducted through hypothesis H4 indicated that Christians exhibited significantly higher levels of gratitude (Cohen’s d = 0.57), reflecting a medium effect size. In contrast, Hindus displayed notably higher levels of depression (Cohen’s d = 0.33), which corresponds to a small effect size (see Table 3 ). Table 3 Religious comparison among the study variables (n = 228): Hindus Christians (n = 113) (n = 115) Variables M SD M SD t (df = 354) p Cohen’s d Gratitude 30.94 5.40 34.06 5.60 4.28 0.8 = Large effect size). 4 Discussion This study is a pioneering effort to examine the effect of gratitude on depression among samples of Hindus and Christians from Kerala state in India. Additionally, we examined demographic differences related to gratitude and depression, as well as religion and gender. Gratitude came out as a significant negative predictor for depression, which is aligned with previous literature [ 16 , 36 , 19 ]. Apart from the combined analysis, this negative relationship was significant in a differential analysis of Hindus and Christians. The study's results show that gratitude can counter depressive thoughts by helping individuals appreciate positive aspects and fostering an optimistic perspective on life [ 37 ]. Religious communities promote gratitude as a moral virtue by supporting those facing illness, financial difficulties, and loneliness. Religious organizations are crucial in offering emotional and practical support to those in need, which helps reduce depression and enhances overall well-being [ 38 ]. Belonging to a religious community fosters inclusivity, connection, and purpose [ 39 ]. Given the strength of social connections, expressions of gratitude are promoted on an interpersonal level by providing benefits to the community. In India, social support networks within religious organizations encourage altruistic activities such as charity and medical services [ 39 ]. The obligation to engage in helpful activities comes from a spiritual duty to recognize God in those who suffer from difficult circumstances such as stress and hardship. Hinduism and Christianity emphasize the core value of "reciprocity," which involves giving back in response to receiving [ 40 ]. Individuals express gratitude for God's blessings and grace through charity and offerings [ 40 ]. Reciprocity will increase cohesiveness among people, interconnectedness, and social bonds within the community [ 40 ]. By actively engaging in gratitude-promoting activities, individuals from religious communities can overcome a pessimistic worldview and mitigate cognitive distortions and negative thoughts associated with depression [ 19 , 3 ]. While both positive and negative emotions can coexist, this study indicates that gratitude significantly reduces the likelihood of depression [ 15 ]. Participation in community life supported by religions reduces depressive thoughts. They will experience a positive mental state with meaning and purpose in life, rooted in a transcendental connection [ 39 ]. Coming to the differentiated analyses between religions, Hindus showed a stronger negative relationship between gratitude and depression, while Christians showed significantly higher gratitude than Hindus. Gratitude towards God is a central Christian theme and an essential moral virtue for salvation [ 9 ]. Gratitude towards God is seen as the ultimate source of blessings and grace in Christianity. The monotheistic emphasis on God (the oneness of the Holy Trinity) in Christianity is significantly different from the polytheistic nature of Hinduism. In Hinduism, gratitude is often directed toward many deities, each possessing unique qualities and powers [ 11 ]. The concept of "Rnas" in Hindu tradition emphasizes the importance of not only divine entities but also of parents, teachers, ancestors, fellow human beings, and even nature and animals. These elements are essential for sustaining life and maintaining the balance of the natural world [ 11 ]. The GQ-6 questionnaire used in this study may not fully capture the complex nature of gratitude, as it was developed within a Western context. As a result, Christians tend to score higher in dispositional gratitude than Hindus. However, regression analysis revealed that the inverse relationship between gratitude and depression was significantly stronger among Hindus. This indicates that Hindus experience greater benefits from practicing gratitude in reducing depression compared to Christians. This unique result highlights the importance of understanding local demographic sensitivities for developing effective interventions [ 8 ]. Semitic religions, including Christianity and Islam, emphasize emotional support, while Indian religions, such as Hinduism and Sikhism, prioritize interpersonal skills and values. These distinctions may also be reflected in the differing effects noted in this study [ 41 ]. One reason for the higher negative predictivity of gratitude in depression among Hindus is the influence of social gatherings during local temple festivals, which are very frequent in states like Kerala [ 42 ]. Christians express their gratitude during Holy Communion in liturgy and rituals, which evoke deep emotions. The concept of gratitude in Christianity centers on honoring Jesus Christ's sacrifice on the cross for humanity's sins. It celebrates God's grace in providing salvation to everyone who believes in Him. Unlike Christianity, Hinduism encompasses a wide range of customs and rituals that vary significantly by locality, including the worship of demigods. These practices strengthen social bonds, cultural values, and community engagement. Processions and cultural performances, such as music and dance associated with temple deities, reflect the community's devotion and gratitude [ 42 ]. The diverse expressions of gratitude among Hindus may have led to a stronger connection between gratitude and depression. Social connections, a sense of belonging, and shared values offered by religious communities can help alleviate loneliness and isolation, which are significant risk factors for depression [ 39 ]. This argument suggests that Hindus with greater gratitude tend to experience lower levels of depression compared to Christians, likely due to enhanced opportunities for social engagement and support networks. In addition to this, Hinduism promotes meditation and yoga as pathways to achieve well-being and protection against depression [ 41 ]. In the Western context, yoga and meditation are primarily used for therapeutic purposes. In contrast, among Hindus, these practices are considered spiritual pathways for well-being. Unlike Christianity, Hinduism features a diverse array of unique rituals for expressing gratitude that emphasize concepts such as Dharma (moral conduct), Yajna (sacred rituals), Tat Twam Asi (the idea of interconnectedness), and Bhakti (devotional love and surrender to God). These practices help reduce depression and promote psychological well-being [ 43 , 44 ]. In this study, depression scores were notably higher among Hindus, although Cohen’s d value indicated only a small effect size. The religious differences related to depression have been seldom explored in the Indian context [ 45 ]. Religious systems and beliefs have been identified as coping resources for alleviating symptoms of depression during challenging times [ 23 , 46 ]. This study provides relevant evidence supporting the argument that the mean score of depression for both religious groups falls within the normal range (0–9), indicating that the overall sample in this study is not affected by depression. Previous literature indicates that minority religious groups primarily face mental health issues such as depression [ 45 , 47 ]. Contrary to that belief, Christian sample scored less depression than Hindus. This may be due to the unique demographic characteristics of Kerala compared to other Indian states [ 48 ]. Christians in Kerala have historically held a favorable position due to strong social indicators such as education and health [ 48 ]. Traditionally, Christians and Hindus coexist harmoniously in Kerala, unlike in other states where sporadic incidents of communal clashes occur due to proselytization. Higher levels of depression among Hindus may be linked to beliefs about past misdeeds related to unknown sins. However, the difference in depression levels between the two groups is minimal, as the effect size is small and the average depression score falls within the normal range. 4.1 Theoretical and Practical Implications We analyzed this study rooted in the theoretical underpinnings of the broaden-and-build approach. According to this theory, positive emotions help to better cope with adversities and maintain well-being [ 26 , 27 ]. The broaden-and-build theory posits that positive emotions expand our range of actions and thoughts, fostering positive resources through social connections and cultivating a sense of purpose [ 26 , 27 ]. In our study, we found that gratitude, as a positive emotion, enhances social connections by fostering appreciation for positive things in life and reducing symptoms of depression. Previous research demonstrates gratitude's positive effects on well-being across various contexts, consistent with the broaden-and-build theory [ 19 , 49 , 50 ]. Our study adds to the research on gratitude's role in alleviating depression outside of a Western context [ 51 ]. Our study also gives a preliminary understanding of whether gratitude interventions are effective in religious contexts. This study indicates that Hindu participants may gain more from gratitude interventions compared to Christians, as the effect size of the negative relationship is greater among Hindus. Previous research on practical applications indicates that gratitude-based interventions have a limited capacity to reduce depression [ 24 ]. However, most of these interventions were primarily conducted among college students or clinical samples. A new perspective that considers the religious foundations of gratitude can lead to important insights. In a multireligious society like India, where Hinduism provides a comprehensive perspective on gratitude, it is essential to consider the potential for interventions aimed at reducing depression and enhancing well-being. It is also important to analyze the culturally specific differences of gratitude in alleviating depression. Previous research provides valuable insights into the effects of gratitude interventions, but it lacks a focus on religious contexts [ 2 , 8 ]. Future research from other regions of India is crucial for generalizing findings and developing tailored interventions that address cultural and religious sensitivities. 4.2 Limitations of the study While this study is a pioneering attempt to explore the relationship between gratitude and depression within an inter-religious sample in a specific cultural context of a country, it does have some unavoidable limitations. Due to the cross-sectional nature of this study, it does not provide a causal explanation for the relationship between gratitude and depression. Therefore, future longitudinal research is essential for establishing causal links. The overrepresentation of female participants in this study may lead to inaccurate results. Therefore, we chose not to analyze gender differences in gratitude and depression. We omitted the significant religious community of Muslims in Kerala from this study, as the demographic differences based on religious affiliation require careful analysis in the future. We overlooked several intervening factors, such as religiosity, mindfulness, and other personality traits. In particular, religiosity may play a significant role beyond simply indicating someone's membership in a religious community. Individuals with higher levels of religiosity might experience greater benefits from gratitude interventions. Our study focused solely on one state, suggesting future research in different demographic contexts may reveal varied results concerning the gratitude-depression relationship. 5 Conclusions Our current study found that gratitude is a significant factor in combating depression among both Hindus and Christians in Kerala. The stronger relationship among Hindus indicates that gratitude interventions may be more effective for Hindus than for Christians. The reduced effect observed among Christians suggests that there are significant factors, apart from gratitude, that may alleviate depression. Demographic differences indicate that gratitude and depression scores are more favorable among Christians, suggesting that Hindus may struggle more in appreciating positive aspects of life and are more susceptible to depression. This study offers insights into how religious communities differentially influence the understanding of gratitude and promote sensitivity to community distinctiveness when developing positive psychological interventions based on gratitude. Declarations Conflict of Interest The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest. Funding There is no funding source. Ethics approval This study got prior ethics approval from the Institutional Human Ethics Committee (IHEC) BITS-Pilani, Pilani Campus, with wide approval number IHEC/BITS/A/23/2022. The authors followed the guidelines of the Helsinki Declaration when collecting data. Informed consent All the respondents were oriented, and informed consent was obtained before the start of the survey. This study only included samples from adults aged 18 and older. Clinical Trial Number Not Applicable Acknowledgments A preliminary version of this paper was presented at the 3rd International Conference on Positive Psychology, organized by the National Positive Psychology Association (NPPA), which took place online in March 2025. We sincerely acknowledge the suggestions and feedback from practitioners and scholars that helped us improve this revised version. 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IEEE transactions on engineering management. 2011;58(3):578-88. https://doi.org/10.1109/TEM.2011.2136437. Petrocchi N, Couyoumdjian A. The impact of gratitude on depression and anxiety: The mediating role of criticizing, attacking, and reassuring the self. Self and Identity. 2016;15(2):191–205. https://doi.org/10.1080/15298868.2015.1095794. Tulbure BT. Appreciating the Positive Protects us from Negative Emotions: The Relationship between gratitude, Depression and Religiosity. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences. 2015;187:475-80. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2015.03.089. Solomon R, Kirwin P, Van Ness PH, O'Leary J, Fried TR. Trajectories of quality of life in older persons with advanced illness. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. 2010;58(5):837–43. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1532-5415.2010.02817.x. VanderWeele TJ, Chen Y, Long KN, Kim ES, TrudelFitzgerald C, Kubzansky, LD. Positive epidemiology? 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E-Upakara, Bebantenan Learning Information System with Tree Diagram Model. Scientific Journal of Informatics. 2020;7(1):22-32. http://dx.doi.org/10.15294/sji.v7i1.21620. Kusuma IGLAW. Implementasi Ajaran Tat Twam Asi Terhadap Mahasiswa Penyandang Tunanetra Di IHDN Denpasar. Jurnal Penelitian Agama Hindu. 2019;3(4):260–64. https://doi.org/10.25078/jpah.v2i2.665. Torrecillas J, Bjorck JP, Kamble SV, Gorsuch RL. Religious Support and Emotional Functioning in India across Three Major Religions. The International Journal for the Psychology of Religion. 2019;30(1):18–34. https://doi.org/10.1080/10508619.2019.1614868. Koenig HG. Research on Religion, Spirituality, and Mental Health: A Review. The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry. 2009;54(5):283-91. https://doi.org/10.1177/070674370905400502. Iqbal S, Ahmad R, Ayub N. Self-esteem: a comparative study of adolescents from mainstream and minority religious groups in Pakistan. Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health. 2013;15(1):49–56. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-012-9656-9. Kallivayalil RA, Kumar PNS. Hindus, Christians, Muslims and Jews in Kerala, India. In Moffic HS, Gogineni RR, Peteet JR, Aggarwal NK, Malhi NK, Hankir A, editors. Eastern Religions, Spirituality, and Psychiatry. Switzerland AG:Springer;2024. p. 305-09. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-56744-5_27. DeSouza JF. Gratitude and Forgiveness as Predictors of Happiness among Undergraduate Students. Journal of the Indian Academy of Applied Psychology. 2024;50(1):40-45. Garg N, Mahipalan M, Poulose S, Burgess J. Does Gratitude Ensure Workplace Happiness Among University Teachers? Examining the Role of Social and Psychological Capital and Spiritual Climate. Frontiers in Psychology. 2022;13:849412. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.849412. Fowers, B. J., Novak, L. F., Calder, A. J., & Kiknadze, N. C. (2024). Can a Theory of Human Flourishing be Formulated? Toward a Science of Flourishing. Review of General Psychology. 2024;28(2):123-42. https://doi.org/10.1177/10892680231225223. Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. Our growing team is made up of researchers and industry professionals working together to solve the most critical problems facing scientific publishing. Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-6737948","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":474405801,"identity":"7346e841-b24a-40e6-bf85-c6a008f3ceca","order_by":0,"name":"Jerin V Philipose","email":"data:image/png;base64,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","orcid":"","institution":"Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Jerin","middleName":"V","lastName":"Philipose","suffix":""},{"id":474405802,"identity":"1583169c-b7dd-4f5a-880c-49afadd4abc5","order_by":1,"name":"Akash Dubey","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Akash","middleName":"","lastName":"Dubey","suffix":""},{"id":474405803,"identity":"15bd6a4c-2a3b-4065-b53a-a039973eef1f","order_by":2,"name":"Rajneesh Choubisa","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Rajneesh","middleName":"","lastName":"Choubisa","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2025-05-24 08:53:17","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-6737948/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-6737948/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":94066032,"identity":"01133cc2-eaa9-47ed-a904-70c77bcacd0c","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-10-22 08:01:52","extension":"pdf","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":752140,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"manuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-6737948/v1/41851249-1181-40f1-896e-820431dd4f60.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"No competing interests reported.","formattedTitle":"\u003cp\u003eA Religious Comparative Study on the Influence of Gratitude in Depression from a South Indian State\u003c/p\u003e","fulltext":[{"header":"1 Introduction","content":"\u003cp\u003eGratitude has garnered significant attention in the field of positive psychology as character strength, positive emotion, personality trait, moral virtue, and attitude [1]. Gratitude is a decisive factor that enhances flourishing and well-being, making it one of the most cited concepts in positive psychology [2]. Gratitude is \u0026ldquo;the general tendency to recognize and appreciate the positive aspects of one\u0026rsquo;s life circumstances\u0026rdquo; [3]. Gratitude is also recognized as a sense of wonder that arises from life as a gift and thankfulness for the benefits received [4]. Gratitude has shifted from a focus on only positivity to a more realistic appreciation of thankfulness, even during life\u0026apos;s darkest phases, including negative experiences of suffering [1]. Gratitude is regarded as a state related to feelings of thankfulness in specific situations, while trait gratitude involves a consistent sense of appreciation across various circumstances [5]. Major world religions view gratitude as a key virtue in achieving closeness to God and attaining salvation [6].\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e1.1 Gratitude among Christians and Hindus\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll major religions consider gratitude a fundamental and highly valued moral virtue [7]. Throughout history, many references have been made to cultivating gratitude among religious followers [8]. Gratitude is classified under the \u0026ldquo;transcendence\u0026rdquo; virtue of character strength, which is strongly related to spirituality and closeness to God [8]. Christianity views gratitude as an essential pathway to salvation [9]. Gratitude is one of the most underlying themes in the prayers, liturgical hymns and rituals in Christianity [9]. The Holy Bible details the need to persevere in thankfulness [9]. Christian theologians advocate for gratitude as a fundamental Christian attitude, teaching believers to be thankful to God above all circumstances [10]. According to Christianity, the existence of the human race depends on feeling grateful for all the good things in life, such as food, family, shelter, and money, all of which come from the ultimate source\u0026mdash;God. The main idea of Thanksgiving prayers is the generosity of the Holy Father, who sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to save humanity from alienation and corruption caused by evil influences [9]. Christianity highlights the blessings that can come from adversities, seeing God as a healer who offers comfort during difficult times. Ultimately, it believes everything will unfold according to God\u0026apos;s plan [6]. Individuals who regularly read the Bible and attend church tend to experience greater gratitude than those who do not engage with the Bible or church [10].\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHinduism, the third-largest religion in the world, emphasizes the importance of gratitude [11]. In Hinduism, there is an encouragement to express gratitude towards living beings and inanimate objects, such as nature and the environment. This includes reverence for the four essential elements: air, fire, water, and soil [11]. Hindu philosophy posits that gratitude as a transcendental virtue goes beyond the interpersonal gratitude typically triggered by specific individuals, circumstances, or events [11]. Hinduism emphasizes gratitude through the concept of five \u003cem\u003ernas\u003c/em\u003e, or sacred duties, that every believer is expected to fulfill in their lifetime [11]. This concept of gratitude is all-encompassing, addressing personal, interpersonal, and transpersonal dimensions [12]. These five duties include Manuṣya-yaj\u0026ntilde;a\u0026nbsp;(towards fellow human beings), Deva-yaj\u0026ntilde;a (towards God and nature), Bhūta-yaj\u0026ntilde;a (towards the Ecosystem), Brahma-yaj\u0026ntilde;a (towards knowledge, skills, and talents), and Pitr-yaj\u0026ntilde;a (towards the family, ancestors, and cultural values) [13]. Brahma-yaj\u0026ntilde;a emphasizes the importance of gratitude for knowledge, possessions and qualities. Manuṣya-yaj\u0026ntilde;a values gratitude in an interpersonal sense, whereas Pitr-yaj\u0026ntilde;a aims to honor and repay our ancestors, parents, family, and relatives [11]. Hinduism emphasizes that reverence for parents and ancestors is essential for praying and seeking forgiveness from God [11]. Hindus have a custom of worshiping ancestors on new moon days and celebrating a 15-day festival each year in their memory [11]. Deva-yaj\u0026ntilde;a involves expressing gratitude and seeking blessings from God through prayers and rituals, including fasting, meditation, celibacy, and assisting those in need. Bhūta-yaj\u0026ntilde;a emphasizes gratitude towards all-natural creations such as oceans, rivers, mountains, trees, birds, animals, the sun, and the solar system. Deva-yaj\u0026ntilde;a and Bhūta-yaj\u0026ntilde;a together represent the transpersonal aspect of gratitude [11]. In addition, the Bhagavad Gita encourages gratitude for all material and spiritual possessions. In Hinduism, prayers include the chant \u0026quot;namah,\u0026quot; which conveys gratitude and reverence for the divine [11].\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRecent literature in India has recognized the need for gratitude interventions sensitive to socio-cultural contexts [2, 8].\u0026nbsp;Unlike collectivist societies such as India, individualistic societies like the US perceive gratitude primarily as a feeling linked to positive emotions. In collectivistic societies, gratitude is often linked to a sense of indebtedness and the obligation to repay the benefactor. Not everyone expresses their gratitude after receiving a favor [2]. When expecting a favor in return from the beneficiary, the feeling of indebtedness may overshadow gratitude, which is perceived as a negative emotion [14]. Collectivistic cultures value the mutual obligations of social relationships more than individualistic cultures [2]. Individualistic people do not express negative feelings of indebtedness, while collectivistic people experience a complex interplay of positive and negative emotions [15]. In individualistic cultures, gratitude is expressed through physical touch, gestures, and verbal appreciation, such as saying \u0026apos;thank you.\u0026apos; In the Indian context, gratitude is expressed through various actions, such as bestowing titles and touching elders\u0026apos; feet [2]. This reflects the principle of gratitude in Hindu teachings, emphasizing the importance of fulfilling duties and obligations over simply feeling positive through gratitude. Further research from the Indian subcontinent is crucial for scientific progress related to gratitude and its associated interventions. The comparison of gratitude in multireligious societies within a region can provide insights for future studies that examine the prevalence of gratitude intervention studies in Western contexts.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e1.2 Gratitude and Depression\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDepression is commonly viewed as an emotional state defined by the inability to feel pleasure. It is marked by predominant sadness, anger, guilt, and a lack of interest [16].\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003eDepression involves two extremes of emotions where vivacity is low and high negativity [17]. If initial symptoms are neglected, depression may result in severe consequences for social and occupational functioning [16]. WHO considers depression as a significant threat to well-being [18]. Depression is recognized as the most prevalent mental health issue globally and significantly contributes to the worldwide burden of disease [16]. Previous literature shows that gratitude is an important resilience factor to depression [19]. A recent meta-analysis by Iodice et al. [16]\u0026nbsp;confirmed a medium negative relationship between gratitude and depression across diverse demographic contexts. Previous literature among Christians also showed a similar relationship [20, 21]. The benefits of appreciating goodness contrast with the negative aspects of rumination and sadness [22]. Engaging in religious rituals such as prayer, meditation, and pilgrimages can serve as a significant protective factor against depression [23]. Although the gratitude-depression relationship has been widely explored in individualistic Western societies and Christianity, there is a lack of research in multireligious societies like India. This gap hinders our understanding of the potential to introduce gratitude interventions that consider religious sensitivities [8]. So far in the literature, gratitude interventions have shown only modest effects in reducing depression, particularly among college students and older adults [24]. This study of subcultural contexts in Kerala, South India, can pave the way for future research, addressing the lack of conclusions in the Indian religious context [8].\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e1.3 The current study\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe aim to examine the impact of gratitude on depression among Hindus and Christians in Kerala, facilitating future replication studies in contexts beyond Kerala and South India. Although Hindus make up the majority of the population in Kerala (over 50%), it also has a significant Christian population (18%), which differs from other Indian states and highlights the need for demographic comparison [25]. Gratitude is believed to reduce depression, utilizing the Broaden-and-Build theory of positive emotions. Gratitude, according to this theory, broadens momentary cognitive and behavioral repertoires, ultimately building positive resources that enhance psychological well-being [26, 27]. Enhancing psychological well-being also involves reducing symptoms of depression, as both cannot co-occur [19]. Gratitude can help increase low self-esteem and self-worth, especially during episodes of depression when these feelings are significantly compromised. [19]. Gratitude allows for positive interpretations of adverse events, in contrast to the self-critical and punishing perspectives typical of depression [3]. In collectivistic societies, the existence of both positive and negative emotions linked to indebtedness cannot rule out the potential for a positive connection between gratitude and depression [15]. The first hypothesis explores whether gratitude predicts depression in a combined sample of Hindus and Christians. The other two hypotheses involve separate analyses of Hindus and Christians to examine the nuanced differences that arise from their religious identities.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eH\u003csub\u003e1\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e:\u0026nbsp;Gratitude predicts depression among a combined sample of Hindus and Christians.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eH\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e: Gratitude predicts depression among Hindus.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eH\u003csub\u003e3\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e:\u0026nbsp;Gratitude predicts depression among Christians.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn addition to these, we also aim to analyze the differences in gratitude and depression among religious communities. No research has been conducted on religious differences in gratitude and depression within the Indian context. Hence, we hypothesize that,\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eH\u003csub\u003e4\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e: There are no significant differences in gratitude and depression in the religious community.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"2 Method","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e2.1 Research Design and Sample Size Estimation\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAccording to the aim of this study, we approached Hindu and Christian samples from Kerala state. We used a cross-sectional research design and a snowball sampling method to collect data, ensuring maximum participation within a limited timeframe. We received ethical approval from the institute's human ethics committee before collecting the data. We estimated the sample size using G*Power 3.1 software. An effect size of 0.5 and a statistical power of 0.95 were applied with a two-tailed hypothesis to understand the differences between the two independent groups representing the Hindu and Christian samples we selected. The resultant a priori output suggested a sample size of N= 210, including two groups containing 105 samples each [28].\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e2.2 Procedure\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe collected data using the Google Forms platform, which included an informed consent form detailing the study and a demographic survey to confirm participants' membership in the Hindu and Christian religions. We ensured confidentiality, anonymity, and credibility by effectively encrypting the Google Forms, as outlined by the Helsinki Declaration guidelines [29]. We included an informed consent statement in the introductory part of the document, providing a summary of the study. We selected participants who were over the age of 18 and excluded individuals from other religious communities from this study. We have also excluded Hindus and Christians from other regions of India as a preliminary study to evaluate the local differences. The first author identified 25 participants from various districts in Kerala and distributed the forms. They were then asked to share the Google Forms link with other interested Hindus and Christians. No specific time limit was set to complete the forms, as only two questionnaires took a few minutes. \u0026nbsp;As a result of a snowball effect, 287 completed forms were submitted within one month after initial sharing with 25 participants. We collected the data from September to October 2024. We eliminated outliers from the dataset after removing responses from individuals of other religions and those who identified as having no religion (as noted in the demographic section). This process resulted in a final sample size of N = 228, consisting of 115 Christians (50.4%) and 113 Hindus (49.6%), aligned with the prescribed sample size. Of 228 participants, 163 (71.5%) were females, and the remaining 65 (28.5%) were males. We collected data using validated English questionnaires in India, ensuring all participants had formal education in the English language.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e2.3 Measures\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe utilized \u003cem\u003eGratitude Questionnaire-6 (GQ-6)\u003c/em\u003e to measure proneness to experience gratitude daily [30]. GQ-6 contains six items scored on a 7-point Likert scale ranging from 1 to 7 (strongly disagree to strongly agree). Sample item contains \u003cem\u003e“I am grateful to a wide variety of people.”\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003eItems 4 and 6 were reverse-scored to withstand response bias. GQ-6 has been validated in the Indian context [31], and the internal consistency reliability was found to be satisfactory in our study (ω = 0.77).\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDepression was measured using the \u003cem\u003eDepression subscale of Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21)\u003c/em\u003e [32]. Depression scale contains seven items scored on a 4-point rating scale extending from 0 to 3 (did not apply to me at all to applied to me very much, or most of the time). Sample item included \u003cem\u003e“I felt that I had nothing to look forward to.”\u003c/em\u003e Depression subscale from DASS-21 was also previously validated in the Indian context by Singh et al. [33], and the current study shows internal consistency well above (ω= 0.88) the cut-off criteria. The DASS-21 depression scale is not intended for diagnostic use under ICD or DSM classifications, so using it with a general sample is acceptable.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"3 Results","content":"\u003cp\u003eWe utilized Jamovi (2.6), free open-source software for entire data analyses. We assessed the potential for common method bias (CMB) to determine whether participants' responses to the questionnaire were unbiased. We then analyzed the descriptive and correlation analyses, including demographic variables of religion and gender. We checked hypotheses H\u003csub\u003e1,\u003c/sub\u003e H\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e and H\u003csub\u003e3\u003c/sub\u003e using linear regression analysis with gender and religion as control variables to account for the confounding factors. Finally, hypothesis H\u003csub\u003e4\u003c/sub\u003e was checked using an independent sample t-test to examine the differences in religion in study variables of gratitude and depression.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec10\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e3.1 Common Method Bias Testing (CMB)\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eWe utilized Harman\u0026rsquo;s one-factor and common latent factor tests to check the dataset's Common Method Bias (CMB). CMB occurs when participants respond casually to questionnaire items, leading to bias due to the similarities in response anchors, which ultimately compromises the integrity of the results. Although gratitude and depression are anchored in different responses, we cannot ignore the potential for biased answers. This can occur due to a limited number of items and the likelihood of individuals providing inaccurate responses, especially regarding depression, often motivated by a fear of disclosing their actual condition. Harman\u0026rsquo;s one-factor test indicated that only 34.8% of the variance was accounted for, below the 50% threshold, thus negating the threat of CMB [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR34\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e34\u003c/span\u003e]. We also tested CMB using a more robust method through a common latent factor test with CFA [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR35\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e35\u003c/span\u003e]. CFA indices through common latent factor showed an overall poor model fit, where (chi-square/degrees of freedom (χ\u0026sup2; /df)\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;5.21, goodness-of-fit index (GFI)\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.61, comparative fit index (CFI)\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.76, root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA)\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.13) and normed fit index (NFI)\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.73 revealing a low threat of CMB in our dataset.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec11\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e3.2 Descriptive and Correlational Analyses\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eDescriptive and correlational analyses were analyzed using jamovi software (see Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e). We also analyzed how demographic factors, including religion and gender, relate to our study variables. Gratitude is negatively correlated with depression, while religion has significant negative and positive correlations with gratitude and depression, respectively. Gratitude positively correlated with gender.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab1\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 1\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDescriptive analysis and correlation analysis between study variables (N\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;228):\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"6\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eVariables\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eM\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSD\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e1.\u003c/b\u003e Religion\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.51\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.50\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e2.\u003c/b\u003e Gender\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.71\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.45\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.15*\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e3.\u003c/b\u003e Gratitude\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e32.50\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.71\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-0.27***\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.19**\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e4.\u003c/b\u003e Depression\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.44\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.62\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.16*\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-0.12\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-0.45***\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003ctfoot\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"6\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e*p\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05; \u003cem\u003e** p\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.01; ***\u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tfoot\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec12\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e3.3 Regression Analysis\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eWe tested hypothesis H\u003csub\u003e1\u003c/sub\u003e by conducting a linear regression analysis among a combined sample of Christians and Hindus (see Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2.1\u003c/span\u003e). We included gender and religion as the control variables. Results from the combined sample showed that gratitude is a negative predictor of depression (R\u0026sup2;= 0.36, β= -0.42, p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001). To test the differential predictive effects among Hindus and Christians, we checked the hypothesis H\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e (see Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2.2\u003c/span\u003e) among Hindus and H\u003csub\u003e3\u003c/sub\u003e (see Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab4\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2.3\u003c/span\u003e) among Christians. Regression results showed that the predictive relationship was significantly higher among Hindus (R\u0026sup2;= 0.36, β= -0.57, p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001) than among Christians (R\u0026sup2;= 0.06, β= -0.24, p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab2\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 2.1\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eRegression analyses of gratitude on depression in a combined sample (N\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;228):\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"7\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c7\" colnum=\"7\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePredictor\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eB\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSE\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eβ\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003et\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eR\u0026sup2;\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eF\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eConstant\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e17.69\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.12\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.35\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.20***\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e19.2***\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGratitude\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-0.34\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.05\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-0.42***\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-6.62\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003ctfoot\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"7\"\u003e***\u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tfoot\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab3\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 2.2\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eRegression analyses of gratitude on depression among Hindus (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;113):\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"7\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c7\" colnum=\"7\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePredictor\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eB\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSE\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eβ\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003et\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eR\u0026sup2;\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eF\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eConstant\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e25.20\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.46\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.24\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.36***\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e31.2***\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGratitude\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-0.51\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.07\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-0.57***\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-7.44\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003ctfoot\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"7\"\u003e***\u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tfoot\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab4\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 2.3\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eRegression analyses of gratitude on depression among Christians (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;115):\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"7\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c7\" colnum=\"7\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePredictor\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eB\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSE\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eβ\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003et\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eR\u0026sup2;\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eF\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eConstant\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12.48\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.51\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.96\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.06***\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.85***\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGratitude\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-0.19\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.07\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-0.24***\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-2.58\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003ctfoot\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"7\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e*** p\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tfoot\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec13\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e3.4 Religious Differences in Study Variables\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eWe conducted an independent samples t-test to analyze differences in variables based on religious membership (see Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab5\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e). We analyzed normality through the Shapiro-Wilk test and the homogeneity of variances through Levene\u0026rsquo;s test. Both tests showed satisfying results to proceed with the independent sample t-test. Religious comparisons conducted through hypothesis H4 indicated that Christians exhibited significantly higher levels of gratitude (Cohen\u0026rsquo;s d\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.57), reflecting a medium effect size. In contrast, Hindus displayed notably higher levels of depression (Cohen\u0026rsquo;s d\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.33), which corresponds to a small effect size (see Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab5\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab5\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 3\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eReligious comparison among the study variables (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;228):\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"8\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c7\" colnum=\"7\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c8\" colnum=\"8\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c3\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eHindus\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eChristians\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c3\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e(n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;113)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e(n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;115)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eVariables\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eM\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSD\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eM\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSD\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003et\u003c/b\u003e \u003cb\u003e(df\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;354)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ep\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCohen\u0026rsquo;s\u003c/b\u003e \u003cb\u003ed\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGratitude\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e30.94\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.40\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e34.06\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.60\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.28\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.57\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDepression\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7.20\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.83\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.68\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.47\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.30\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.01\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.33\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cem\u003eBold Faced Values are Significant {Cohen\u0026rsquo;s d Range 0.2 to 0.5\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;Small; 0.5 to 0.8\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;Medium and \u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;0.8\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;Large effect size).\u003c/em\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"4 Discussion","content":"\u003cp\u003eThis study is a pioneering effort to examine the effect of gratitude on depression among samples of Hindus and Christians from Kerala state in India. Additionally, we examined demographic differences related to gratitude and depression, as well as religion and gender. Gratitude came out as a significant negative predictor for depression, which is aligned with previous literature [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR16\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e16\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR36\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e36\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR19\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e19\u003c/span\u003e]. Apart from the combined analysis, this negative relationship was significant in a differential analysis of Hindus and Christians.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe study's results show that gratitude can counter depressive thoughts by helping individuals appreciate positive aspects and fostering an optimistic perspective on life [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR37\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e37\u003c/span\u003e]. Religious communities promote gratitude as a moral virtue by supporting those facing illness, financial difficulties, and loneliness. Religious organizations are crucial in offering emotional and practical support to those in need, which helps reduce depression and enhances overall well-being [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR38\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e38\u003c/span\u003e]. Belonging to a religious community fosters inclusivity, connection, and purpose [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR39\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e39\u003c/span\u003e]. Given the strength of social connections, expressions of gratitude are promoted on an interpersonal level by providing benefits to the community. In India, social support networks within religious organizations encourage altruistic activities such as charity and medical services [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR39\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e39\u003c/span\u003e]. The obligation to engage in helpful activities comes from a spiritual duty to recognize God in those who suffer from difficult circumstances such as stress and hardship. Hinduism and Christianity emphasize the core value of \"reciprocity,\" which involves giving back in response to receiving [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR40\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e40\u003c/span\u003e]. Individuals express gratitude for God's blessings and grace through charity and offerings [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR40\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e40\u003c/span\u003e]. Reciprocity will increase cohesiveness among people, interconnectedness, and social bonds within the community [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR40\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e40\u003c/span\u003e]. By actively engaging in gratitude-promoting activities, individuals from religious communities can overcome a pessimistic worldview and mitigate cognitive distortions and negative thoughts associated with depression [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR19\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e19\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e]. While both positive and negative emotions can coexist, this study indicates that gratitude significantly reduces the likelihood of depression [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR15\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e15\u003c/span\u003e]. Participation in community life supported by religions reduces depressive thoughts. They will experience a positive mental state with meaning and purpose in life, rooted in a transcendental connection [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR39\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e39\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eComing to the differentiated analyses between religions, Hindus showed a stronger negative relationship between gratitude and depression, while Christians showed significantly higher gratitude than Hindus. Gratitude towards God is a central Christian theme and an essential moral virtue for salvation [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR9\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e9\u003c/span\u003e]. Gratitude towards God is seen as the ultimate source of blessings and grace in Christianity. The monotheistic emphasis on God (the oneness of the Holy Trinity) in Christianity is significantly different from the polytheistic nature of Hinduism. In Hinduism, gratitude is often directed toward many deities, each possessing unique qualities and powers [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR11\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e11\u003c/span\u003e]. The concept of \"Rnas\" in Hindu tradition emphasizes the importance of not only divine entities but also of parents, teachers, ancestors, fellow human beings, and even nature and animals. These elements are essential for sustaining life and maintaining the balance of the natural world [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR11\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e11\u003c/span\u003e]. The GQ-6 questionnaire used in this study may not fully capture the complex nature of gratitude, as it was developed within a Western context. As a result, Christians tend to score higher in dispositional gratitude than Hindus. However, regression analysis revealed that the inverse relationship between gratitude and depression was significantly stronger among Hindus. This indicates that Hindus experience greater benefits from practicing gratitude in reducing depression compared to Christians. This unique result highlights the importance of understanding local demographic sensitivities for developing effective interventions [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR8\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e8\u003c/span\u003e]. Semitic religions, including Christianity and Islam, emphasize emotional support, while Indian religions, such as Hinduism and Sikhism, prioritize interpersonal skills and values. These distinctions may also be reflected in the differing effects noted in this study [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR41\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e41\u003c/span\u003e]. One reason for the higher negative predictivity of gratitude in depression among Hindus is the influence of social gatherings during local temple festivals, which are very frequent in states like Kerala [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR42\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e42\u003c/span\u003e]. Christians express their gratitude during Holy Communion in liturgy and rituals, which evoke deep emotions. The concept of gratitude in Christianity centers on honoring Jesus Christ's sacrifice on the cross for humanity's sins. It celebrates God's grace in providing salvation to everyone who believes in Him. Unlike Christianity, Hinduism encompasses a wide range of customs and rituals that vary significantly by locality, including the worship of demigods. These practices strengthen social bonds, cultural values, and community engagement. Processions and cultural performances, such as music and dance associated with temple deities, reflect the community's devotion and gratitude [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR42\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e42\u003c/span\u003e]. The diverse expressions of gratitude among Hindus may have led to a stronger connection between gratitude and depression. Social connections, a sense of belonging, and shared values offered by religious communities can help alleviate loneliness and isolation, which are significant risk factors for depression [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR39\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e39\u003c/span\u003e]. This argument suggests that Hindus with greater gratitude tend to experience lower levels of depression compared to Christians, likely due to enhanced opportunities for social engagement and support networks. In addition to this, Hinduism promotes meditation and yoga as pathways to achieve well-being and protection against depression [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR41\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e41\u003c/span\u003e]. In the Western context, yoga and meditation are primarily used for therapeutic purposes. In contrast, among Hindus, these practices are considered spiritual pathways for well-being. Unlike Christianity, Hinduism features a diverse array of unique rituals for expressing gratitude that emphasize concepts such as \u003cem\u003eDharma\u003c/em\u003e (moral conduct), \u003cem\u003eYajna\u003c/em\u003e (sacred rituals), \u003cem\u003eTat Twam Asi\u003c/em\u003e (the idea of interconnectedness), and \u003cem\u003eBhakti\u003c/em\u003e (devotional love and surrender to God). These practices help reduce depression and promote psychological well-being [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR43\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e43\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR44\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e44\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIn this study, depression scores were notably higher among Hindus, although Cohen\u0026rsquo;s d value indicated only a small effect size. The religious differences related to depression have been seldom explored in the Indian context [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR45\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e45\u003c/span\u003e]. Religious systems and beliefs have been identified as coping resources for alleviating symptoms of depression during challenging times [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR23\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e23\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR46\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e46\u003c/span\u003e]. This study provides relevant evidence supporting the argument that the mean score of depression for both religious groups falls within the normal range (0\u0026ndash;9), indicating that the overall sample in this study is not affected by depression. Previous literature indicates that minority religious groups primarily face mental health issues such as depression [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR45\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e45\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR47\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e47\u003c/span\u003e]. Contrary to that belief, Christian sample scored less depression than Hindus. This may be due to the unique demographic characteristics of Kerala compared to other Indian states [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR48\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e48\u003c/span\u003e]. Christians in Kerala have historically held a favorable position due to strong social indicators such as education and health [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR48\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e48\u003c/span\u003e]. Traditionally, Christians and Hindus coexist harmoniously in Kerala, unlike in other states where sporadic incidents of communal clashes occur due to proselytization. Higher levels of depression among Hindus may be linked to beliefs about past misdeeds related to unknown sins. However, the difference in depression levels between the two groups is minimal, as the effect size is small and the average depression score falls within the normal range.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec15\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e4.1 Theoretical and Practical Implications\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eWe analyzed this study rooted in the theoretical underpinnings of the broaden-and-build approach. According to this theory, positive emotions help to better cope with adversities and maintain well-being [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR26\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e26\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR27\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e27\u003c/span\u003e]. The broaden-and-build theory posits that positive emotions expand our range of actions and thoughts, fostering positive resources through social connections and cultivating a sense of purpose [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR26\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e26\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR27\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e27\u003c/span\u003e]. In our study, we found that gratitude, as a positive emotion, enhances social connections by fostering appreciation for positive things in life and reducing symptoms of depression. Previous research demonstrates gratitude's positive effects on well-being across various contexts, consistent with the broaden-and-build theory [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR19\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e19\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR49\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e49\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR50\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e50\u003c/span\u003e]. Our study adds to the research on gratitude's role in alleviating depression outside of a Western context [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR51\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e51\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eOur study also gives a preliminary understanding of whether gratitude interventions are effective in religious contexts. This study indicates that Hindu participants may gain more from gratitude interventions compared to Christians, as the effect size of the negative relationship is greater among Hindus. Previous research on practical applications indicates that gratitude-based interventions have a limited capacity to reduce depression [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR24\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e24\u003c/span\u003e]. However, most of these interventions were primarily conducted among college students or clinical samples. A new perspective that considers the religious foundations of gratitude can lead to important insights. In a multireligious society like India, where Hinduism provides a comprehensive perspective on gratitude, it is essential to consider the potential for interventions aimed at reducing depression and enhancing well-being. It is also important to analyze the culturally specific differences of gratitude in alleviating depression. Previous research provides valuable insights into the effects of gratitude interventions, but it lacks a focus on religious contexts [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR8\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e8\u003c/span\u003e]. Future research from other regions of India is crucial for generalizing findings and developing tailored interventions that address cultural and religious sensitivities.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec16\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e4.2 Limitations of the study\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eWhile this study is a pioneering attempt to explore the relationship between gratitude and depression within an inter-religious sample in a specific cultural context of a country, it does have some unavoidable limitations. Due to the cross-sectional nature of this study, it does not provide a causal explanation for the relationship between gratitude and depression. Therefore, future longitudinal research is essential for establishing causal links. The overrepresentation of female participants in this study may lead to inaccurate results. Therefore, we chose not to analyze gender differences in gratitude and depression. We omitted the significant religious community of Muslims in Kerala from this study, as the demographic differences based on religious affiliation require careful analysis in the future. We overlooked several intervening factors, such as religiosity, mindfulness, and other personality traits. In particular, religiosity may play a significant role beyond simply indicating someone's membership in a religious community. Individuals with higher levels of religiosity might experience greater benefits from gratitude interventions. Our study focused solely on one state, suggesting future research in different demographic contexts may reveal varied results concerning the gratitude-depression relationship.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"5 Conclusions","content":"\u003cp\u003eOur current study found that gratitude is a significant factor in combating depression among both Hindus and Christians in Kerala. The stronger relationship among Hindus indicates that gratitude interventions may be more effective for Hindus than for Christians. The reduced effect observed among Christians suggests that there are significant factors, apart from gratitude, that may alleviate depression. Demographic differences indicate that gratitude and depression scores are more favorable among Christians, suggesting that Hindus may struggle more in appreciating positive aspects of life and are more susceptible to depression. This study offers insights into how religious communities differentially influence the understanding of gratitude and promote sensitivity to community distinctiveness when developing positive psychological interventions based on gratitude.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Declarations","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConflict of Interest\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;Funding\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;There is no funding source.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003cstrong\u003eEthics approval\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis study got prior ethics approval from the Institutional Human Ethics Committee (IHEC) BITS-Pilani, Pilani Campus, with wide approval number IHEC/BITS/A/23/2022. The authors followed the guidelines of the Helsinki Declaration when collecting data.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eInformed consent\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll the respondents were oriented, and informed consent was obtained before the start of the survey. This study only included samples from adults aged 18 and older.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eClinical Trial Number\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot Applicable\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAcknowledgments\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA preliminary version of this paper was presented at the 3rd International Conference on Positive Psychology, organized by the National Positive Psychology Association (NPPA), which took place online in March 2025. We sincerely acknowledge the suggestions and feedback from practitioners and scholars that helped us improve this revised version.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAvailability of data and material (data transparency)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe data supporting the results will be available upon request to the first author\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAuthors’ contributions\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll authors contributed equally to the manuscript's planning, preparation, drafting, analyzing, and proofreading. JP: Conceptualization; first draft, data collection; AD: Analyses, proofreading and editing; RC: Conceptual refinement; proofreading and editing. \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eGarg N, Sharma N, Palframan J. Validation of the existential gratitude scale (EGS) in India and its relationship with spiritual well-being and distress. 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American Psychologist. 2001;56:218-26. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.56.3.218.\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eFredrickson BL. The broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London Series B \u0026ndash; Biological Sciences. 2004;359(1449):1367\u0026ndash;78. https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2004.1512.\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eFaul F, Erdfelder E, Lang AG, Buchner A. G*Power 3: A flexible statistical power analysis program for the social, behavioral, and biomedical sciences. Behavior Research Methods. 2007;39:175-91.\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eHolm, S. Declaration of Helsinki. In International Encyclopedia of Ethics. 2019. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781444367072.wbiee230.pub2.\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eMcCullough, ME, Emmons RA, Tsang, J. The grateful disposition: A conceptual and empirical topography. 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Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. 2010;58(5):837\u0026ndash;43. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1532-5415.2010.02817.x.\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eVanderWeele TJ, Chen Y, Long KN, Kim ES, TrudelFitzgerald C, Kubzansky, LD. Positive epidemiology? Epidemiology. 2019;31(2);189-93. https://doi.org/10.1097/ede.0000000000001147.\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eFloyd S, Rossi G, Baranova J, Blythe J, Dingemanse M, Kendrick KH, et al. Universals and cultural diversity in the expression of gratitude. Royal Society Open Science.2018;5:180391. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsos.180391.\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eVaingankar JA, Choudhary N, Chong SA, Kumar FDS, Abdin E, Shafie S, Chua BY, van Dam RM, Subramaniam M. Religious Affiliation in Relation to Positive Mental Health and Mental Disorders in a Multi-Ethnic Asian Population. 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Religious Support and Emotional Functioning in India across Three Major Religions. The International Journal for the Psychology of Religion. 2019;30(1):18\u0026ndash;34. https://doi.org/10.1080/10508619.2019.1614868.\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eKoenig HG. Research on Religion, Spirituality, and Mental Health: A Review. The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry. 2009;54(5):283-91. https://doi.org/10.1177/070674370905400502.\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eIqbal S, Ahmad R, Ayub N. Self-esteem: a comparative study of adolescents from mainstream and minority religious groups in Pakistan. Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health. 2013;15(1):49\u0026ndash;56. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-012-9656-9.\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eKallivayalil RA, Kumar PNS. Hindus, Christians, Muslims and Jews in Kerala, India. In Moffic HS, Gogineni RR, Peteet JR, Aggarwal NK, Malhi NK, Hankir A, editors. Eastern Religions, Spirituality, and Psychiatry. Switzerland AG:Springer;2024. p. 305-09. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-56744-5_27.\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eDeSouza JF. Gratitude and Forgiveness as Predictors of Happiness among Undergraduate Students. Journal of the Indian Academy of Applied Psychology. 2024;50(1):40-45.\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eGarg N, Mahipalan M, Poulose S, Burgess J. Does Gratitude Ensure Workplace Happiness Among University Teachers? Examining the Role of Social and Psychological Capital and Spiritual Climate. Frontiers in Psychology. 2022;13:849412. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.849412.\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eFowers, B. J., Novak, L. F., Calder, A. J., \u0026amp; Kiknadze, N. C. (2024). Can a Theory of Human Flourishing be Formulated? Toward a Science of Flourishing. Review of General Psychology. 2024;28(2):123-42. https://doi.org/10.1177/10892680231225223.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":true,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":false,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"Gratitude, Depression, Religious Communities, Regression","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-6737948/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-6737948/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBackground: \u003c/strong\u003eGratitude is considered one of the 24-character strengths contributing to psychological well-being. Most religions consider gratitude to be a core virtue with spiritual foundations. For many religious individuals, recognizing the positive aspects of life, such as grace and abundance from God or sacred entities, fosters a persistent sense of gratitude. Gratitude can enhance psychological well-being and happiness and reduce depression, especially in a religious context. However, this potential has been less explored, particularly in India.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMethod: \u003c/strong\u003eWe examined the predictive effect of gratitude in depression from a religious community sample N= 228 from Kerala state in South India, including Hindus (n= 113) and Christians (n= 115), to compare the effects. We utilized Gratitude Questionnaire-6 (GQ-6) to measure gratitude and depression subscale from DASS-21 to measure depression, and data was analyzed using Jamovi software.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eResults/Findings: \u003c/strong\u003eRegression analyses combining Christians and Hindus indicated that gratitude is a negative predictor of depression (R²= 0.20, β= -0.42). Separated analyses for communities showed a significant prediction among Hindus (R²= 0.35, β= -0.57) and Christians (R²= 0.06, β= -0.24), wherein a significantly higher effect among Hindus. Independent sample t-test revealed significantly higher gratitude among Christians (Cohen’s d= 0.57) and higher depression among Hindus (Cohen’s d= 0.33).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eImplications: \u003c/strong\u003eResearch findings show that Hindus may benefit more from gratitude interventions in reducing depression compared to Christians. Further research is required to examine the relationship between gratitude and depression in different regions of India.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"A Religious Comparative Study on the Influence of Gratitude in Depression from a South Indian State","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2025-06-24 05:34:27","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-6737948/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"6d7fb9e7-3114-4f2a-bfa5-6e1e53284e85","owner":[],"postedDate":"June 24th, 2025","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"posted","subjectAreas":[],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2025-10-22T07:53:42+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2025-06-24 05:34:27","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-6737948","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-6737948","identity":"rs-6737948","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"8U1c8b4HqxoKbykW_rLl7","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}