The Relationship Between Gratitude and Coping Strategies: A Mediation Analysis Based on Longitudinal Cross-sectional Data

The Relationship Between Gratitude and Coping Strategies: A Mediation Analysis Based on Longitudinal Cross-sectional Data | 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 The Relationship Between Gratitude and Coping Strategies: A Mediation Analysis Based on Longitudinal Cross-sectional Data Jun ZHANG, Zhimin YIN, Ping DENG, Jieying YANG This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-4804868/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 Purpose This study evaluated the potential relationship between gratitude and coping strategies, examining the mediating effects of perceived social support and self-esteem between gratitude and coping strategies. Methods Starting from January 2023, our research team conducted three longitudinal surveys on 2018 high school students, using Mplus software to construct a structural equation model to explore the relationships between gratitude, coping strategies, perceived social support, and self-esteem. Results Gratitude can significantly predict coping strategies directly and indirectly through perceived social support and self-esteem. Conclusion Gratitude can significantly and positively predict coping strategies both directly and indirectly. This study delves into the complex relationship between gratitude and coping strategies, deepening our understanding of this dynamic. Schools and families should prioritize strengthening children's gratitude education and nurturing their confidence and self-esteem to help them cultivate a positive mindset and engage in positive prosocial behaviors. Gratitude Coping Strategies Perceived Social Support Self-Esteem Mediation Effect Test Figures Figure 1 Figure 2 1 Introduce In the northern regions of China, there once lived a man skilled in divining fortunes using the methods of the Book of Changes. One day, his horse inexplicably crossed the border and ran off into a neighboring country. Upon hearing this misfortune, sympathetic neighbors came to console him. However, the old man remarked, "How do we know this isn't a stroke of good luck?" A few months later, his horse returned home accompanied by a fine stallion from the neighboring country. While others congratulated his family on the newfound wealth, the old man remarked, "Why can't this be seen as a misfortune?" Not long after, his son, fond of riding the horses, fell off and broke his leg. Once again, sympathetic neighbors offered their condolences. But the old man said, "Why can't this be seen as a good thing?" A year later, the neighboring king launched an attack on their country, and all able-bodied men were conscripted to fight. Many perished in the war, but the old man's son, due to his injury, was exempt from service. In the end, both father and son survived. This famous story is known as "Sorrow May Be Turned into Blessing" (Tian, 2023 ). This story tells us that having a positive mindset in life often leads to a happier and more fulfilling life. In other words, a positive attitude marks the beginning of good fortune for an individual. Coping strategies refer to the cognitive and behavioral strategies individuals adopt when facing stress, challenges, or difficulties. These strategies are aimed at helping individuals cope with stress, as well as resolving or alleviating the negative impacts caused by stress (Zhang & Cui, 2024 ). Coping strategies can generally be divided into two types: active coping strategies and passive coping strategies. Active coping strategies include positive coping, seeking social support, positive reframing, problem-focused coping, and acceptance, among others. These strategies are beneficial for individuals to effectively deal with stress, enhance coping abilities, and contribute to psychological well-being and adaptation. In contrast, passive coping strategies include avoidance, denial, self-blame, numbing, and engaging in negative behaviors (Wu et al., 2024 ). These strategies often exacerbate the negative effects of stress, increase psychological discomfort and emotional distress, and may even lead to the development of mental health problems. Some studies suggest that in today's information society, excessive use of social media may lead to negative outcomes such as social isolation, emotional distress, and mental health issues (Primack et al., 2017 ; Lin et al., 2016 ). Gratitude is commonly defined as a positive emotional state that involves expressing appreciation for the care, help, support, or contributions received from others. It encompasses recognition of the goodwill and efforts of others, as well as appreciation for positive aspects of life. Gratitude also involves a sense of awareness, recognizing the benefits one has received and responding with a positive attitude (Davis et al., 2016 ). The structure of gratitude typically includes three elements: benefaction received, emotional gratitude, and reciprocal behavior. Firstly, gratitude involves recognizing the benefits or favors received, which may include material assistance, emotional support, encouragement, or other forms of assistance (Wood, Froh, & Geraghty, 2010 ). Secondly, gratitude entails experiencing positive emotions in response to these benefits or favors, manifested as feelings of appreciation, satisfaction, or joy (Algoe & Haidt, 2009 ).Finally, gratitude also involves expressing appreciation for others through positive reciprocal behaviors, which can take the form of verbal expressions, written notes, repayment, or other actions (Lambert, Fincham, & Stillman, 2012 ). The positive effects of gratitude are broad, impacting individuals' psychological well-being, interpersonal relationships, and overall sense of happiness. Research indicates that gratitude is positively associated with positive emotions, psychological well-being, self-esteem, satisfaction, optimistic mood, and levels of depression (Ma, Tunney, & Ferguson, 2017 ). Gratitude is also believed to help alleviate negative emotions, enhance psychological resilience, promote psychological recovery, and cope with challenges (Wood, Froh, & Geraghty, 2010 ). One study explored the relationship between gratitude toward God and psychological functioning in older adults. Using longitudinal survey data, the study examined the impact of gratitude toward God on psychological functioning among older adults through longitudinal data analysis. The results of the study found that gratitude toward God was associated with psychological functioning and had a positive impact on longevity (Hill et al., 2012 ). Gratitude is regarded as a positive emotion and psychological state closely associated with positive coping strategies. Emotion regulation theory posits that positive emotions can broaden individuals' cognitive and behavioral repertoires, facilitating the development of additional resources and skills, thereby enhancing their ability to cope with stress and challenges. The Gratitude theory proposed by Emmons & McCullough ( 2003 ) suggests that positive emotions can help individuals better adapt to stress and negative emotions, promoting psychological well-being and happiness. Grateful individuals often tend to adopt positive and effective coping strategies to deal with challenges and stressors in life, thereby promoting psychological well-being and happiness.Research has found a positive association between a grateful mindset and positive coping strategies, indicating that individuals with higher levels of gratitude are more likely to adopt positive coping strategies (Emmons & McCullough, 2003 ). Additionally, a grateful mindset is positively correlated with psychological resilience, and psychological resilience is closely associated with the use of positive coping strategies (Wood et al., 2008). These research findings emphasize the promoting role of gratitude in positive coping strategies, further revealing the significant connection between gratitude and psychological well-being. Based on this, Hypothesis 1 is proposed in this study: Gratitude significantly predicts positive coping strategies. 1.1 The Mediating Role of Perceived Social Support Perceived social support refers to individuals' understanding of their position and role in society, as well as the extent to which they believe others in society are willing to provide help and support. This understanding can include individuals' perception of social support networks and their awareness of the reliability and availability of these networks (Zhou et al., 2023 ). Perceiving social support can alleviate individuals' psychological burden when facing stress and challenges. Through establishing connections with others and obtaining support, individuals can more effectively solve problems and enhance coping abilities. Therefore, social support is considered a buffer that can reduce negative impacts in life and improve individuals' psychological resilience. Perceiving social support can decrease negative emotions such as anxiety and depression, promote positive attitudes, and emotional stability. Additionally, through the recognition and support of others, individuals are more likely to have positive evaluations of themselves, thereby enhancing confidence and self-identity (Thoits, 2011 ). The Social Resource Theory emphasizes the importance of social support as a resource for individuals. Stress can be perceived as a negative physiological or psychological stimulus, while social support refers to individuals' ability to alleviate stress by receiving emotional support, informational support, or instrumental support from others when facing stress. Social support is not only emotional but also includes forms such as information, advice, and practical assistance, which can help individuals better cope with challenges and stress in life. The theory suggests that resources obtained through social support can enhance individuals' psychological resilience and adaptability, thereby strengthening their ability to cope with stress (Miller, 2016 ).Research indicates that an increase in stress levels may lead to an increased demand for social support among individuals, while also potentially affecting their perception and utilization of social support. The presence of social support can alleviate the negative impact of stress on individuals' physical and mental health and enhance their ability to cope with stress. However, under extreme or prolonged stress, individuals may become skeptical about social support, feeling unable to effectively utilize social support resources, thus diminishing the effectiveness of social support (Holt-Lunstad et al., 2017 ; Uchino 2009 ). The Social Support Theory emphasizes the interplay between social support and coping strategies. According to this theory, individuals' coping strategies may be influenced by the social support they receive, while their social support needs and utilization may also be influenced by their coping strategies. When individuals face challenges and stress, they may tend to choose forms of social support that align with their coping strategies to enhance coping effectiveness. At the same time, individuals' coping strategies may also influence their perception and utilization of social support, thereby affecting the effectiveness of social support on individuals (Lakey et al., 2009 ).Some researchers utilized the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, the Individual Level Induced Abortion Stigma Scale, the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II, the Cognitive Fusion Questionnaire-Chinese Version, the Social Stress Response Questionnaire, and the Perceived Social Support Scale to investigate depression symptoms before induced abortion among pregnant women with fetal abnormalities hospitalized in tertiary comprehensive hospitals and maternity hospitals in Changsha. They established a hypothetical model of factors influencing depression symptoms before induced abortion and explored the effect and pathway of induced abortion stigma on depression symptoms before induced abortion among pregnant women with fetal abnormalities. The results indicated a significant correlation between perceived social support and maternal depression (Zhang et al., 2023 ). Based on this, Hypothesis 2 is proposed in this study: Perceived social support plays a mediating role between gratitude and coping strategies. 1.2 The Mediating Role of Self-Esteem Self-esteem refers to individuals' self-evaluation and sense of self-worth. It reflects the degree to which individuals identify with themselves and the extent to which they affirm their abilities, values, and beliefs. Self-esteem is generally considered an important component of psychological well-being and happiness, with significant influences on individuals' behavior, emotions, and interpersonal relationships. Individuals with high self-esteem are often better equipped to face challenges, approach life positively, and establish good relationships with others (Orth et al., 2012 ). The self-esteem protection theory posits that individuals, when faced with situations that threaten their self-esteem, will take various measures to protect their self-esteem. For example, individuals may choose to avoid situations that threaten their self-esteem, seek social support for affirmation, or enhance their self-esteem through positive self-promotion. Social Identity Theory suggests that individuals' social identity primarily stems from favorable comparisons between their in-group and relevant out-groups. When individuals confirm their membership or qualifications within a group, their self-esteem is enhanced. Conversely, when individuals confirm that they do not belong to a group or have the qualifications, their stress increases, and self-esteem decreases (Toit, 2024 ). Research has found a direct impact of stress on self-esteem: Long-term stress or negative events may have adverse effects on individuals' self-esteem. For example, work pressure, family issues, social difficulties, etc., may lower individuals' self-esteem levels (Orth, Robins, & Widaman, 2012 ). Individuals' self-esteem levels may affect their coping strategies and coping outcomes regarding stress. Individuals with high self-esteem often possess psychological resilience and coping abilities, enabling them to effectively cope with stress and recover from it (Meng & Bai, 2023 ). Self-Consistency Theory posits that individuals strive to achieve internal consistency in beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors. This theory suggests that people have an inherent need to maintain a consistent self-concept, and when their beliefs are inconsistent with their self-concept, cognitive dissonance arises, consequently affecting self-esteem, making individuals more prone to adopting more negative coping strategies (Poggiolini, 2020 ). Research has explored the effects of scenario-based interventions involving family participation on the self-esteem, coping strategies, and quality of life of school-aged children with epilepsy. They divided 84 children with epilepsy into a control group (41 individuals) and an observation group (43 individuals) and implemented scenario-based interventions involving family participation. They compared the self-esteem, coping strategies, and quality of life of the two groups of children.Four weeks after the intervention, the observation group showed significantly higher scores in defect perception, positive coping strategies, and self-esteem compared to the control group. Additionally, some scores for negative coping were lower than those of the control group. Furthermore, the quality of life and health scores of children with epilepsy in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group. There was a significant correlation between self-esteem and positive coping strategies (Huang, 2023 ). Researchers surveyed 116 junior high school students from single-parent families and 1,299 junior high school students from non-single-parent families. The results showed a significant correlation between self-esteem and coping strategies. Junior high school students from single-parent families tended to adopt more self-blame and fantasy coping strategies compared to those from non-single-parent families, and their parents were more likely to employ harsh punishment and denial parenting styles. Junior high school students from single-parent families scored lower in the pursuit of success factors and self-esteem compared to those from non-single-parent families (Zhao & Yan, 2023 ). Based on these studies, Hypothesis 3 is proposed in this study: Self-esteem mediates the relationship between gratitude and coping strategies. 1.3 Chain Mediation of Perceived Social Support and Self-Esteem Social resource theory emphasizes how individuals obtain resources through social support to facilitate adaptation and psychological well-being. These resources may include emotional support (such as comfort and emotional connection), informational support (such as advice and information acquisition), esteem support (such as celebration and expressions of respect), and instrumental support (such as material assistance and practical help). The resources individuals acquire from social support help them cope with challenges, alleviate stress, and promote increases in their levels of psychological well-being and self-esteem (Miller, 2016 ). Building on existing research, we posit that individuals with high levels of gratitude often perceive greater social support and possess stronger self-esteem. Consequently, they are more likely to adopt proactive coping strategies when facing life challenges. Based on this premise, Hypothesis 4 posits that perceived social support and self-esteem each serve as chain mediators between gratitude and coping strategies. 2 Methods 2.1 Participants Using cluster sampling, we selected all students (first, second, and third-year high school students) from three high schools out of 20 high schools in Hefei City, Anhui Province, and Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, China, to participate in the study. We strictly adhered to the Helsinki Declaration and obtained approval from the ethical committee responsible for overseeing this study before commencing the current research. As this study planned to conduct research using longitudinal data, three rounds of longitudinal data collection were conducted (with a 4-month interval between each assessment), and all participants were included in the data analysis only if they participated in all three questionnaire surveys.The first questionnaire survey was conducted on January 4, 2023, with a total of 2020 questionnaires distributed and collected, collecting gratitude questionnaire data as the independent variable. The second questionnaire survey took place on May 6, 2023, with a total of 2032 questionnaires distributed and collected, collecting perceived social support and self-esteem questionnaire data as the mediating variables. The third questionnaire survey was conducted on September 6, 2023, with a total of 2025 questionnaires distributed and collected, collecting simplified coping style questionnaire data as the dependent variable. During the three questionnaire surveys mentioned above, a few students were absent due to leave, and their data were excluded. Ultimately, we obtained 2018 valid questionnaires. Among these, the proportion of male participants and female participants was 36.0% and 64.0%, respectively. The proportion of urban and rural participants was 26.6% and 73.4%, respectively. The proportion of first-year, second-year, and third-year high school students was 64.2%, 17.1%, and 18.7%, respectively. The age distribution of participants aged 17 to 22 was 1.3%, 40.5%, 27.1%, 13.8%, 11.5%, and 5.8%, respectively. 2.2 Research Instruments 2.2.1 Gratitude Scale We utilized the gratitude scale revised by Wei et al. ( 2011 ). This scale comprises a single factor encompassing six items (e.g., Item 3: "There is nothing for which I need to feel grateful in this world"). Responses are recorded on a 7-point Likert scale, with each item presenting seven response options: 1 for "strongly disagree," 2 for "disagree," 3 for "somewhat disagree," 4 for "uncertain," 5 for "somewhat agree," 6 for "agree," and 7 for "strongly agree." A higher score on each item reflects a greater degree of gratitude. Participants were instructed to choose from 1 (strongly disagree) to 7 (strongly agree) for each item. For instance, if they selected "strongly agree," their score for that item would be 7. A higher score indicates a deeper comprehension of gratitude (Wei et al., 2011 ). In this study, the overall Cronbach's α coefficient for this scale was 0.736. 2.2.2 Perceived Social Support Scale We utilized the Perceived Social Support Scale developed by Zimet et al., consisting of three dimensions: family support (e.g., "I can discuss my difficulties with my family"), friend support (e.g., "My friends can share their joys and sorrows with me"), and other support (e.g., "When I encounter difficulties, some individuals (leaders, relatives, colleagues) are a genuine source of comfort for me").The scale comprises 12 items in total. Responses are recorded on a 7-point Likert scale, with each item providing seven response options: 1 for "strongly disagree," 2 for "disagree," 3 for "somewhat disagree," 4 for "neutral," 5 for "somewhat agree," 6 for "agree," and 7 for "strongly agree." Higher scores on the scale indicate greater perceived social support (Tang & Huang, 2020 ). The overall Cronbach's α coefficient for this scale in our study was 0.955. 2.2.3 Self-Esteem Scale The Self-Esteem Scale utilized in this investigation is a revised iteration of Rosenberg's scale. It comprises a single factor encompassing 8 items (e.g., Item 1: "I feel that I am a person of worth, at least on an equal plane with others."), of which 5 items are positively scored and 3 items are negatively scored. Employing a Likert 4-point scoring system, each item presents 4 response options: 4 for "Strongly Agree," 3 for "Agree," 2 for "Disagree," and 1 for "Strongly Disagree." A higher score on the scale indicates a heightened level of self-esteem (Chen et al., 2023 ). In our study, the overall Cronbach's α coefficient for this scale was 0.789. 2.2.4 Brief Coping Strategies Scale The Brief Coping Strategies Scale employed in this investigation is an adapted iteration of the questionnaire formulated by Folkman and Lazarus. It comprises two factors: positive coping (e.g., Item 8: "Seek advice from relatives, friends, or classmates") and negative coping (e.g., Item 19: "Fantasize that some miracle will change the situation").The scale encompasses a total of 20 items. It utilizes a Likert 4-point scoring system, with each item offering 4 options: 0 indicating "Not Used," 1 indicating "Used Occasionally," 2 indicating "Used Sometimes," and 3 indicating "Used Frequently." A higher score on the questionnaire indicates a more positive approach to coping (Geng et al., 2024 ). In this study, the overall Cronbach's α coefficient of this scale is 0.890. 3 Data Analysis Data analysis was conducted using SPSS 25.0 and Mplus 7.0. Full information maximum likelihood (FIML) estimation was employed to handle missing values (Enders, 2010 ). Ultimately, data from 2018 participants were included in the analysis. We proceeded with our study in two steps: First, we verified whether Gratitude significantly predicted Coping Strategies. Second, we constructed a structural equation model (see Fig. 1 ) to examine whether Perceived Social Support and Self-Esteem mediated the relationship between Gratitude and Coping Strategies. Model fit was evaluated based on the following criteria (West et al., 2012 ): χ2/df ≤ 5.0, CFI ≥ 0.90, TLI ≥ 0.90, RMSEA ≤ 0.08, SRMR ≤ 0.08. 3.1 Common Method Bias Test Common method bias refers to artificial correlations between variables caused by factors such as using the same survey method, surveyor, or survey time in a study, rather than true relationships. This bias can potentially lead to misleading interpretations of study results, causing relationships between variables to be overinterpreted or misinterpreted. The primary purpose of conducting a common method bias test is to ensure the accuracy and reliability of research results. By examining common method bias, researchers can determine whether the obtained results truly reflect the actual relationships between variables, rather than being influenced by factors such as survey methods. This helps improve the scientific rigor and credibility of the study, ensuring the validity and generalizability of research conclusions. To address the issue of common method bias in questionnaire-based research, this study employed measures such as anonymous surveys and reverse-scored items for control. Factor analysis using the Harman single-factor method was conducted, resulting in the extraction of eight factors with eigenvalues greater than 1, explaining 64.396% of the total variance. The first principal factor explained 34.063% of the total variance, fully meeting the criterion of being less than 40% of the critical standard (Tang & Wen, 2020). 3.2 Descriptive Statistics and Correlation Analysis We conducted descriptive statistics for demographic variables, as shown in Table 1 . Independent samples t-tests were employed to examine whether there were differences in gratitude, perceived social support, self-esteem, and coping strategies among high school students of different genders and household registrations. The results indicated significant differences in perceived social support among high school students of different genders (p < 0.05). Additionally, significant differences were observed in perceived social support, self-esteem, and positive coping strategies among high school students with different household registrations (p < 0.05). Refer to Tables 2 and 3 for details. In the correlation analysis among variables, we found significant positive correlations among gratitude, perceived social support, self-esteem, and coping strategies, as presented in Table 4 . Table 1 Demographic Variables Statistics Items Type Count Proportion (%) Mean Standard Deviation Minimum maximum Genders Male 726 36.0 1.6402 0.48005 1.00 2.00 Female 1292 64.0 Household registration Rural 1481 73.4 1.2661 0.44203 1.00 2.00 Urban 537 26.6 Grade Freshman 1295 64.2 1.5451 0.78861 1.00 3.00 Sophomore 346 17.1 Junior 377 18.7 Age 17 26 1.3 19.1130 1.25251 17.00 22.00 18 817 40.5 19 546 27.1 20 279 13.8 21 232 11.5 22 118 5.8 Gratitude 29.8717 5.82533 6.00 42.00 Perceived social support 60.0610 13.34191 12.00 84.00 Self-Esteen 22.8320 3.41800 8.00 32.00 Coping Strategies 30.9400 9.48474 0.00 60.00 Table 2 Gender and Household Registration Differences in Gratitude, Perceived Social Support, Self-Esteem, and Coping Strategies among High School Students Dependent variable Independent variable F Significance t Sig(two-tailed) Gratitude Genders 10.830 0.001 -0.890 0.373 Perceived social support 18.527 0.000 2.118 0.034 Self-Esteen 6.711 0.010 1.724 0.085 Coping Strategies 8.883 0.003 1.651 0.099 Gratitude Household registration 10.448 0.001 -0.475 0.635 Perceived social support 5.106 0.024 -2.212 0.027 Self-Esteen 10.350 .001 -2.201 0.028 Coping Strategies 1.251 .264 -2.388 0.017 Table 3 Age and Grade Differences in Gratitude, Perceived Social Support, Self-Esteem, and Coping Strategies among High School Students Dependent variable Independent variable Sum of squares Degree of freedom Mean square F Sig(two-tailed) Gratitude Age Between-group 503.895 5 100.779 2.984 0.011 Within-group 67941.864 2012 33.768 Perceived social support Between-group 3223.185 5 644.637 3.645 0.003 Within-group 355816.318 2012 176.847 Self-Esteen Between-group 185.884 5 37.177 3.200 0.007 Within-group 23378.168 2012 11.619 Coping Strategies Between-group 846.995 5 169.399 1.887 0.093 Within-group 180602.750 2012 89.763 Gratitude Grade Between-group 892.749 2 446.375 13.315 0.000 Within-group 67553.009 2015 33.525 Perceived social support Between-group 10628.165 2 5314.082 30.733 0.000 Within-group 348411.338 2015 172.909 Self-Esteen Between-group 564.473 2 282.237 24.727 0.000 Within-group 22999.579 2015 11.414 Coping Strategies Between-group 2637.660 2 1318.830 14.862 0.000 Within-group 178812.085 2015 88.740 Table 4 Mean, standard deviation and correlation coefficients of the variables variables Genders Age Grade Household registration Gratitude Perceived social support Self-Esteen Coping Strategies Genders 1 Age -0.239** 1 Grade -0.248** 0.747** 1 Household registration -0.058** 0.050* 0.101** 1 Gratitude 0.020 -0.010 -0.022 0.011 1 Perceived social support -0.047* -0.002 0.006 0.049* 0.626** 1 Self-Esteen -0.038 0.055* 0.054* 0.049* 0.506** 0.573** 1 Coping Strategies -0.037 0.041 0.075** 0.053* 0.396** 0.499** 0.363** 1 Note: N = 2018. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001. 3.3 Construction and Testing of Structural Equation Model Given the relatively large number of items included in the Perceived Social Support and Coping Strategies scales, this study employed a parceling technique to accurately reflect the model structure (Wen, Huang & Tang, 2018 ). Gender, age, grade, and household registration were included as covariates in the structural equation model. Establishment of the Structural Equation Model. Firstly, using Gratitude as the predictor variable and Coping Strategies as the outcome variable, we tested whether Gratitude has a significant direct effect on Coping Strategies. The results indicated a significant positive prediction of positive Coping Strategies (β = 0.144, p < 0.05), supporting hypothesis 1. Secondly, using Gratitude as the predictor variable and Coping Strategies as the outcome variable, with Perceived Social Support and Self-Esteem as the mediating variables, we established a chained mediation model(Refer to Fig. 2 for details). The model fit well: χ 2 /df = 4.989, p < 0.001, CFI = 0.983, TLI = 0.974, RMSEA = 0.044, SRMR = 0.026.The results indicate that by using bias-corrected bootstrap tests with 1000 resamples, significance testing was conducted on the mediating paths. When the 95% confidence interval of the path coefficient estimate does not include 0, the path coefficient is considered significant. The findings demonstrate that Gratitude significantly predicts Coping Strategies through three indirect paths: "Gratitude → Perceived social support → Coping Strategies," "Gratitude → Self-Esteem → Coping Strategies," and "Gratitude → Perceived social support → Self-Esteem → Coping Strategies", As shown in Table 5 . Table 5 presents the bootstrap analysis results for testing the significance of the mediating effects Model pathways Estimated 95%CI Lower Upper Gratitude→Perceived social support→Coping Strategies 0.355 0.302 0.410 Gratitude→Self-Esteen→Coping Strategies 0.016 0.007 0.029 Gratitude→Perceived social support→Self-Esteen→Coping Strategies 0.045 0.029 0.063 4 Discussion This study found that gratitude positively predicts coping strategies, supporting Hypothesis 1. According to Self-Efficacy Theory, self-efficacy not only influences individuals' goal selection but also affects their behavioral patterns. When engaging in tasks, individuals tend to choose the most likely path to success. In daily life, people develop their own behavioral patterns that are difficult to change, possibly because familiar behaviors enhance self-efficacy. During action, individuals adjust their behavioral goals and patterns based on feedback from behavioral outcomes, thereby continuously adapting their actions (Bandura, 1997 ). Research indicates that gratitude is a positive emotional state that enhances psychological resilience and resources, thereby promoting more effective coping strategies (Wood et al., 2010 ). Specifically, gratitude helps individuals perceive life events more positively, improve psychological well-being, reduce stress levels, mitigate the impact of negative emotions, enhance problem-solving abilities, and utilize social support (Li et al., 2019 ; Emmons & Stern, 2013 ). These mechanisms of gratitude underscore its importance and positive impact in coping processes. Therefore, gratitude education plays a crucial role in fostering positive psychological development in children. Hence, parents should demonstrate gratitude in family education, such as expressing gratitude and appreciation to others in daily life, and encouraging children to express gratitude through actions like writing thank-you notes or performing small acts of kindness. In schools, teachers can incorporate gratitude education into the curriculum by using stories, case studies, and role-playing to help students understand and experience gratitude. Teachers should also model gratitude in their daily teaching practices to inspire students to cultivate gratitude. This study confirmed that perceived social support serves as a mediator between gratitude and coping strategies, supporting Hypothesis 2. Social Support Theory emphasizes the significant impact of support from the social environment and interpersonal relationships on individuals' health and happiness when coping with life stressors and adversity. This theory posits that social support can originate from family members, friends, colleagues, and social institutions, encompassing emotional support (such as comfort and understanding), instrumental support (such as material aid and information provision), and evaluative support (such as feedback and advice). Social support can influence individuals in various ways, including stress reduction, enhanced self-esteem, facilitation of adaptive coping, and strengthening of psychological resilience (Lakey et al., 2010 ).Research indicates that gratitude can enhance individuals' coping abilities, making them more inclined to adopt positive coping strategies (Huang et al., 2022 ). Moreover, it can increase individuals' perceived social support levels by providing them with more emotional and psychological resources, thereby reducing the likelihood of adopting negative coping strategies and enabling more effective management of various challenges and stressors in life (Wu et al., 2023 ). Although individuals' gratitude can indeed lead to higher levels of perceived social support, the enhancement of perceived social support can be continuously improved through various means, such as actively participating in group activities, fostering a positive and supportive atmosphere, enhancing relationships through praise and encouragement, and building trust with others. Learning to communicate proactively with others, maintaining regular contact with friends and family, expressing one's needs and feelings, and also listening to others' opinions and advice can all contribute to this improvement. This study found that self-esteem mediates the relationship between gratitude and coping strategies, supporting hypothesis 3. Attribution Theory primarily explores how individuals interpret their own and others' behaviors and how these interpretations affect their emotions and motivations. Behavioral reasons are often attributed to internal factors (such as personality, emotions, abilities, or effort) and external situational factors (such as task difficulty, luck, or assistance from others), which can influence individuals' emotional responses and behavioral motivations (Weiner, 2018 ; Martinko et al., 2021 ). For example, if a person attributes failure to unstable external factors (such as bad luck), they may not feel much frustration, whereas attributing failure to stable internal factors (such as lack of ability) may lead to a blow to self-esteem and a lack of motivation. Gratitude can reduce unhealthy social comparisons. Practicing gratitude directs individuals' attention to the positive aspects of their own lives rather than comparing themselves to others. This process of reducing negative social comparisons helps to enhance individuals' self-esteem (Caputo, 2015 ).Individuals with high self-esteem tend to maintain an optimistic and positive mindset. They believe in their ability to face challenges and, when confronted with difficulties, are more inclined to seek out the positive aspects and potential opportunities rather than dwell on negative thoughts (Neff & Vonk, 2008 ). This study validates the importance of self-esteem. However, we believe that how to cultivate children's self-esteem is even more crucial because it is a long-term process that requires continuous effort to have a substantive impact. For example, parents and teachers should listen to children's thoughts and feelings, respect their viewpoints, provide affirmation and encouragement, and avoid using negative language or critical attitudes towards them, ensuring that they feel valued and understood. This study further confirms that gratitude can positively predict coping strategies through the sequential mediating effects of perceived social support and self-esteem, supporting hypothesis 4. Expressing gratitude typically fosters and strengthens social relationships. When individuals express gratitude, they enhance their connections with others, promoting positive interactions and emotional bonds. This behavior not only makes the expresser feel supported but also encourages those around them to be more willing to offer help and support, thereby increasing their levels of perceived social support (Algoe, 2012 ). Attachment Theory emphasizes the influence of early attachment relationships on later social relationships and self-concept. Perceived social support resembles secure attachment relationships, making individuals feel secure and accepted, thus enhancing self-esteem. The sense of security and trust in attachment relationships can extend to other social relationships, strengthening individuals' self-efficacy and self-esteem (Mikulincer & Shaver, 2009 ). Therefore, individuals who are grateful tend to have higher levels of perceived social support, feel the kindness of their surroundings, have higher self-esteem, and are thus more likely to engage in prosocial behaviors. 5 Limitations and Implications There are several limitations in this study. Firstly, all data in this study were self-reported by students, which may not necessarily reflect the actual situation. Future research should employ multi-source reporting methods to collect data. Secondly, in this study, data on the independent, mediating, and dependent variables were collected separately in three questionnaire surveys, thus precluding the possibility of conducting cross-lagged analysis. Although this study has some limitations, we have made new progress based on previous research. Firstly, we not only applied social resource theory, emotion regulation theory, and self-esteem protection theory in empirical research, but also utilized Longitudinal Cross-sectional Data to conduct the study, making the results more reliable. Secondly, by collecting data from a large sample size, we could better reflect the real situation of the study. Thirdly, by constructing a structural equation model, we verified the mechanism of gratitude on coping strategies, providing new knowledge for theoretical and empirical research on the relationship between gratitude and coping strategies. 6 Conclusion Gratitude not only significantly predicts coping strategies in a positive direction but also positively predicts coping strategies through the independent mediating effects of perceived social support and self-esteem, as well as through the bivariate mediating effects of perceived social support and self-esteem. Given the close relationship between gratitude and coping strategies, schools and families should pay attention to cultivating children's gratitude psychology, which can help them adopt more positive coping strategies. Declarations Ethics statement The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Tourism College of Zhejiang(No. ZT780637). All participants volunteered to participate in the experiment, and written informed consent was given to and supported by their guardians. Human Ethics and Informed Consent Statement We respect the privacy of the participants. Information used to identify participants, such as names and genders, should not be described in writing in the article. Participants were involved in the study only after fully understanding its purpose. Consent for publication Not applicable. Competing interests The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that might influence the work reported here. Funding This study was supported by a research grant from Tourism college of Zhejiang funder(Project No. 2023CGYB05). Author Contribution In this study, Z. Y. was mainly responsible for the search of scientific literature and the signing of the informed consent form of the subjects, P. D. was mainly responsible for the distribution and retrieval of the questionnaires and data processing, J. Z. and J. Y. was mainly responsible for the writing of the thesis, the development of the research methodology, and the selection of the statistical analysis software.All authors were involved in data analysis, drafting or revising the article, ultimately approving the published version of the article, and agreeing to take responsibility for all aspects of the work. Acknowledgement This study was supported by a research grant from Tourism college of Zhejiang (Project No. 2023CGYB05). 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The impact of ineffective family emotional environment on academic burnout: The chain mediating role of uncontrollable emotion beliefs and self-esteem. Chin J Clin Psychol. 2023;31(4):950–4. Martinko MJ, Harvey P, Dasborough MT. Attribution theory: An organizational perspective. Europe's J Psychol. 2021;11(2):323–34. https://doi.org/10.5964/ejop.v11i2.826 . Ma LK, Tunney RJ, Ferguson E. Does gratitude enhance prosociality? A meta-analytic review. Psychol Bull. 2017;143(6):601–35. https://doi.org/10.1037/bul0000103 . Miller ED. Handbook of Social Resource Theory: Theoretical Extensions, Empirical Insights, and Social Applications. Int Sociol. 2016;31(5):619–21. https://doi.org/10.1177/0268580916655971 . Mikulincer M, Shaver PR. Attachment in adulthood: Structure, dynamics, and change. Guilford Press; 2009. Neff KD, Vonk R. Self-compassion versus global self-esteem: Two different ways of relating to oneself. J Pers. 2008;77(1):23–50. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-6494.2008.00537.x . Orth U, Robins RW, Widaman KF. Life-span development of self-esteem and its effects on important life outcomes. J Personal Soc Psychol. 2012;102(6):1271–88. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0025558 . Poggiolini C. Beneficial effects of reactance in health-related behavior? The effects of fear appeals on defensive and accepting reactions of smokers with different levels of self-esteem. SCM Stud Communication Media. 2020;9(3):421–44. https://doi.org/10.5771/2192-4007-2020-3-421 . Primack BA, Shensa A, Sidani JE, Whaite EO, Lin LY, Rosen D, Miller E. Social media use and perceived social isolation among young adults in the US. Am J Prev Med. 2017;53(1):1–8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2017.01.010 . Toit PL,LaG. D. Rethinking identity theory in light of the in-Christ identity in the African context. HTS Theological Stud. 2024;80(1). https://doi.org/10.4102/hts.v80i1.8914 . Article a8914. Tian LM. Sorrow may be turned into blessing - Discovering the turning point in misfortune and expanding positive thinking. Educator. 2023;38(1):16–7. Tang XY, Huang CL. The relationship between professional identity and perceived social support among nursing undergraduates in Guizhou Province. Front Social Sci. 2020;9(3):331–41. Thoits PA. Mechanisms linking social ties and support to physical and mental health. J Health Soc Behav. 2011;52(2):145–61. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022146510395592 . Uchino BN. Understanding the links between social support and physical health: A life-span perspective with emphasis on the separability of perceived and received support. Perspect Psychol Sci. 2009;4(3):236–55. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-6924.2009.01122.x . Wu PJ, Zhang YF, Wang WH. The impact of negative life events on nonsuicidal self-injury among vocational school students: The mediating role of positive and negative coping strategies. Adv Psychol. 2024;14(2):683–92. Wu QY, Qiu D, Xiao SY. The relationship between sleep quality and social support among medical staff during the normalization of COVID-19 prevention and control. Chin J Mental Health. 2023;37(5):442–8. Weiner B. The legacy of an attribution approach to motivation and emotion: A no-crisis zone. Motivation Sci. 2018;4(1):4–14. https://doi.org/10.1037/mot0000082 . Wen Z, Huang BD, Tang DD. Introduction to Questionnaire Data Modeling. Psychol Sci. 2018;41(1):204–10. West SG, Taylor AB, Wu W. Model fit and model selection in structural equation modeling. In: Hoyle RH, editor. Handbook of Structural Equation Modeling. New York: The Guilford Press; 2012. pp. 209–31. Wei C, Wu HT, Kong XN, Wang HT. Revision and reliability validity test of the Gratitude Questionnaire GQ-6. Chin J School Health. 2011;32(10):1201–2. Wood AM, Froh JJ, Geraghty AW. Gratitude and well-being: A review and theoretical integration. Clin Psychol Rev. 2010;30(7):890–905. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2010.03.005 . Zhang H, Cui YR. Construction and validation of a psychological distress prediction model for first-onset stroke patients. Henan Med Res. 2024;33(5):799–804. Zhang Q, Qin C, Xie J, Li X, Zeng L, Wang Y, Wang Y, Peng H. Effect and pathway of abortion stigma on depressive symptoms before terminating the pregnancy in pregnant women with fetal anomaly. J Cent South Univ (Medical Sciences). 2023;48(3):435–43. Zhao J, Yan BP. A comparative study on coping strategies, achievement motivation, and self-esteem among junior high school students from single-parent families. J Psychiatry. 2023;36(5):517–21. Zhou Y, Yang L, Liang QT, Ye XL, Lu JM. The mediating effect of cancer-related fatigue on the relationship between perceived social support and social isolation in nasopharyngeal cancer survivors. Guangxi Med J. 2023;45(7):816–20. Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. 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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-4804868","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":335161644,"identity":"2fb24b05-6b19-44c0-b46c-03b88a6d9748","order_by":0,"name":"Jun ZHANG","email":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAAA4UlEQVRIiWNgGAWjYDACCRDBA2V8MLCxI00L44yCtGQitUAZzDwfDjE2ENIhP7v52cMvMofz+Gf3HpO2MTjAzMB++OgGfFoY5xwzN5bhOVwscedcmnSOwR0+Bp60tBv4tDBLJJhJS/AcTmy4kWMG1PKMmUGCxwyvFjaJ9G9gLfNBWiwMDjM2ENLCI5FjJvkBqGUDSAsDMVokJHLKpBl40hM33sgxtuwxSEtmI+QX+Rnp2yR/9lgnzruRY3jjxx8bO372w8fwagEBZt4eZN8RUg4CjD9+EKNsFIyCUTAKRiwAAHlVRo5b1MVAAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC","orcid":"","institution":"Tourism College of Zhejiang","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Jun","middleName":"","lastName":"ZHANG","suffix":""},{"id":335161645,"identity":"cbdd4c0a-2645-43b0-92c5-20ddcf1d2573","order_by":1,"name":"Zhimin YIN","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Yongkang Preschool Qidong New Village Kindergarten","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Zhimin","middleName":"","lastName":"YIN","suffix":""},{"id":335161646,"identity":"9aac009c-8bdc-4b0d-aebf-8df5470b829b","order_by":2,"name":"Ping DENG","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Zhejiang Police Vocational Academy","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Ping","middleName":"","lastName":"DENG","suffix":""},{"id":335161647,"identity":"c23d8730-a097-4306-9e9c-f4aeec486529","order_by":3,"name":"Jieying YANG","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Shanghai University","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Jieying","middleName":"","lastName":"YANG","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2024-07-26 02:41:58","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-4804868/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-4804868/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":64006942,"identity":"38292e90-e640-48e3-85ad-aa24d96e8c02","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2024-09-04 21:53:41","extension":"png","order_by":1,"title":"Figure 1","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":46791,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003edepicts the chained mediation model of the effect of gratitude on coping strategies\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"floatimage1.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-4804868/v1/4b4dd7adc7396d21a5aacbff.png"},{"id":64006941,"identity":"3e22b804-0365-4529-b72c-16fb68c25f79","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2024-09-04 21:53:41","extension":"png","order_by":2,"title":"Figure 2","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":52049,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eillustrates the indirect effects of perceived social support and self-esteem on the relationship between gratitude and coping strategies.\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"floatimage2.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-4804868/v1/22777e0ba6d6045754daf595.png"},{"id":74537383,"identity":"d6d6b356-390a-4f93-bd9b-062d1014cbb9","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-01-23 08:47:09","extension":"pdf","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":1227091,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"manuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-4804868/v1/306ac4e8-629c-4494-aba0-ce316f05b3d4.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"No competing interests reported.","formattedTitle":"The Relationship Between Gratitude and Coping Strategies: A Mediation Analysis Based on Longitudinal Cross-sectional Data","fulltext":[{"header":"1 Introduce","content":"\u003cp\u003eIn the northern regions of China, there once lived a man skilled in divining fortunes using the methods of the Book of Changes. One day, his horse inexplicably crossed the border and ran off into a neighboring country. Upon hearing this misfortune, sympathetic neighbors came to console him. However, the old man remarked, \"How do we know this isn't a stroke of good luck?\" A few months later, his horse returned home accompanied by a fine stallion from the neighboring country. While others congratulated his family on the newfound wealth, the old man remarked, \"Why can't this be seen as a misfortune?\" Not long after, his son, fond of riding the horses, fell off and broke his leg. Once again, sympathetic neighbors offered their condolences. But the old man said, \"Why can't this be seen as a good thing?\" A year later, the neighboring king launched an attack on their country, and all able-bodied men were conscripted to fight. Many perished in the war, but the old man's son, due to his injury, was exempt from service. In the end, both father and son survived. This famous story is known as \"Sorrow May Be Turned into Blessing\" (Tian, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR30\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e). This story tells us that having a positive mindset in life often leads to a happier and more fulfilling life. In other words, a positive attitude marks the beginning of good fortune for an individual.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCoping strategies refer to the cognitive and behavioral strategies individuals adopt when facing stress, challenges, or difficulties. These strategies are aimed at helping individuals cope with stress, as well as resolving or alleviating the negative impacts caused by stress (Zhang \u0026amp; Cui, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR41\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e). Coping strategies can generally be divided into two types: active coping strategies and passive coping strategies. Active coping strategies include positive coping, seeking social support, positive reframing, problem-focused coping, and acceptance, among others. These strategies are beneficial for individuals to effectively deal with stress, enhance coping abilities, and contribute to psychological well-being and adaptation. In contrast, passive coping strategies include avoidance, denial, self-blame, numbing, and engaging in negative behaviors (Wu et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR34\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e). These strategies often exacerbate the negative effects of stress, increase psychological discomfort and emotional distress, and may even lead to the development of mental health problems. Some studies suggest that in today's information society, excessive use of social media may lead to negative outcomes such as social isolation, emotional distress, and mental health issues (Primack et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR28\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2017\u003c/span\u003e; Lin et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR16\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2016\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e Gratitude is commonly defined as a positive emotional state that involves expressing appreciation for the care, help, support, or contributions received from others. It encompasses recognition of the goodwill and efforts of others, as well as appreciation for positive aspects of life. Gratitude also involves a sense of awareness, recognizing the benefits one has received and responding with a positive attitude (Davis et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2016\u003c/span\u003e). The structure of gratitude typically includes three elements: benefaction received, emotional gratitude, and reciprocal behavior. Firstly, gratitude involves recognizing the benefits or favors received, which may include material assistance, emotional support, encouragement, or other forms of assistance (Wood, Froh, \u0026amp; Geraghty, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR40\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2010\u003c/span\u003e). Secondly, gratitude entails experiencing positive emotions in response to these benefits or favors, manifested as feelings of appreciation, satisfaction, or joy (Algoe \u0026amp; Haidt, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2009\u003c/span\u003e).Finally, gratitude also involves expressing appreciation for others through positive reciprocal behaviors, which can take the form of verbal expressions, written notes, repayment, or other actions (Lambert, Fincham, \u0026amp; Stillman, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR17\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2012\u003c/span\u003e). The positive effects of gratitude are broad, impacting individuals' psychological well-being, interpersonal relationships, and overall sense of happiness. Research indicates that gratitude is positively associated with positive emotions, psychological well-being, self-esteem, satisfaction, optimistic mood, and levels of depression (Ma, Tunney, \u0026amp; Ferguson, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR22\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2017\u003c/span\u003e). Gratitude is also believed to help alleviate negative emotions, enhance psychological resilience, promote psychological recovery, and cope with challenges (Wood, Froh, \u0026amp; Geraghty, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR40\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2010\u003c/span\u003e). One study explored the relationship between gratitude toward God and psychological functioning in older adults. Using longitudinal survey data, the study examined the impact of gratitude toward God on psychological functioning among older adults through longitudinal data analysis. The results of the study found that gratitude toward God was associated with psychological functioning and had a positive impact on longevity (Hill et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR14\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2012\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eGratitude is regarded as a positive emotion and psychological state closely associated with positive coping strategies. Emotion regulation theory posits that positive emotions can broaden individuals' cognitive and behavioral repertoires, facilitating the development of additional resources and skills, thereby enhancing their ability to cope with stress and challenges. The Gratitude theory proposed by Emmons \u0026amp; McCullough (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR9\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2003\u003c/span\u003e) suggests that positive emotions can help individuals better adapt to stress and negative emotions, promoting psychological well-being and happiness. Grateful individuals often tend to adopt positive and effective coping strategies to deal with challenges and stressors in life, thereby promoting psychological well-being and happiness.Research has found a positive association between a grateful mindset and positive coping strategies, indicating that individuals with higher levels of gratitude are more likely to adopt positive coping strategies (Emmons \u0026amp; McCullough, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR9\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2003\u003c/span\u003e). Additionally, a grateful mindset is positively correlated with psychological resilience, and psychological resilience is closely associated with the use of positive coping strategies (Wood et al., 2008). These research findings emphasize the promoting role of gratitude in positive coping strategies, further revealing the significant connection between gratitude and psychological well-being. Based on this, Hypothesis 1 is proposed in this study: Gratitude significantly predicts positive coping strategies.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec2\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e1.1 The Mediating Role of Perceived Social Support\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003ePerceived social support refers to individuals' understanding of their position and role in society, as well as the extent to which they believe others in society are willing to provide help and support. This understanding can include individuals' perception of social support networks and their awareness of the reliability and availability of these networks (Zhou et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR44\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e). Perceiving social support can alleviate individuals' psychological burden when facing stress and challenges. Through establishing connections with others and obtaining support, individuals can more effectively solve problems and enhance coping abilities. Therefore, social support is considered a buffer that can reduce negative impacts in life and improve individuals' psychological resilience. Perceiving social support can decrease negative emotions such as anxiety and depression, promote positive attitudes, and emotional stability. Additionally, through the recognition and support of others, individuals are more likely to have positive evaluations of themselves, thereby enhancing confidence and self-identity (Thoits, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR32\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2011\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Social Resource Theory emphasizes the importance of social support as a resource for individuals. Stress can be perceived as a negative physiological or psychological stimulus, while social support refers to individuals' ability to alleviate stress by receiving emotional support, informational support, or instrumental support from others when facing stress. Social support is not only emotional but also includes forms such as information, advice, and practical assistance, which can help individuals better cope with challenges and stress in life. The theory suggests that resources obtained through social support can enhance individuals' psychological resilience and adaptability, thereby strengthening their ability to cope with stress (Miller, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR23\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2016\u003c/span\u003e).Research indicates that an increase in stress levels may lead to an increased demand for social support among individuals, while also potentially affecting their perception and utilization of social support. The presence of social support can alleviate the negative impact of stress on individuals' physical and mental health and enhance their ability to cope with stress. However, under extreme or prolonged stress, individuals may become skeptical about social support, feeling unable to effectively utilize social support resources, thus diminishing the effectiveness of social support (Holt-Lunstad et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR13\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2017\u003c/span\u003e; Uchino \u003cspan citationid=\"CR33\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2009\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Social Support Theory emphasizes the interplay between social support and coping strategies. According to this theory, individuals' coping strategies may be influenced by the social support they receive, while their social support needs and utilization may also be influenced by their coping strategies. When individuals face challenges and stress, they may tend to choose forms of social support that align with their coping strategies to enhance coping effectiveness. At the same time, individuals' coping strategies may also influence their perception and utilization of social support, thereby affecting the effectiveness of social support on individuals (Lakey et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR19\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2009\u003c/span\u003e).Some researchers utilized the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, the Individual Level Induced Abortion Stigma Scale, the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II, the Cognitive Fusion Questionnaire-Chinese Version, the Social Stress Response Questionnaire, and the Perceived Social Support Scale to investigate depression symptoms before induced abortion among pregnant women with fetal abnormalities hospitalized in tertiary comprehensive hospitals and maternity hospitals in Changsha. They established a hypothetical model of factors influencing depression symptoms before induced abortion and explored the effect and pathway of induced abortion stigma on depression symptoms before induced abortion among pregnant women with fetal abnormalities. The results indicated a significant correlation between perceived social support and maternal depression (Zhang et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR42\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e). Based on this, Hypothesis 2 is proposed in this study: Perceived social support plays a mediating role between gratitude and coping strategies.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec3\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e1.2 The Mediating Role of Self-Esteem\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eSelf-esteem refers to individuals' self-evaluation and sense of self-worth. It reflects the degree to which individuals identify with themselves and the extent to which they affirm their abilities, values, and beliefs. Self-esteem is generally considered an important component of psychological well-being and happiness, with significant influences on individuals' behavior, emotions, and interpersonal relationships. Individuals with high self-esteem are often better equipped to face challenges, approach life positively, and establish good relationships with others (Orth et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR26\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2012\u003c/span\u003e). The self-esteem protection theory posits that individuals, when faced with situations that threaten their self-esteem, will take various measures to protect their self-esteem. For example, individuals may choose to avoid situations that threaten their self-esteem, seek social support for affirmation, or enhance their self-esteem through positive self-promotion.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSocial Identity Theory suggests that individuals' social identity primarily stems from favorable comparisons between their in-group and relevant out-groups. When individuals confirm their membership or qualifications within a group, their self-esteem is enhanced. Conversely, when individuals confirm that they do not belong to a group or have the qualifications, their stress increases, and self-esteem decreases (Toit, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR29\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e). Research has found a direct impact of stress on self-esteem: Long-term stress or negative events may have adverse effects on individuals' self-esteem. For example, work pressure, family issues, social difficulties, etc., may lower individuals' self-esteem levels (Orth, Robins, \u0026amp; Widaman, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR26\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2012\u003c/span\u003e). Individuals' self-esteem levels may affect their coping strategies and coping outcomes regarding stress. Individuals with high self-esteem often possess psychological resilience and coping abilities, enabling them to effectively cope with stress and recover from it (Meng \u0026amp; Bai, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR20\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSelf-Consistency Theory posits that individuals strive to achieve internal consistency in beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors. This theory suggests that people have an inherent need to maintain a consistent self-concept, and when their beliefs are inconsistent with their self-concept, cognitive dissonance arises, consequently affecting self-esteem, making individuals more prone to adopting more negative coping strategies (Poggiolini, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR27\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e). Research has explored the effects of scenario-based interventions involving family participation on the self-esteem, coping strategies, and quality of life of school-aged children with epilepsy. They divided 84 children with epilepsy into a control group (41 individuals) and an observation group (43 individuals) and implemented scenario-based interventions involving family participation. They compared the self-esteem, coping strategies, and quality of life of the two groups of children.Four weeks after the intervention, the observation group showed significantly higher scores in defect perception, positive coping strategies, and self-esteem compared to the control group. Additionally, some scores for negative coping were lower than those of the control group. Furthermore, the quality of life and health scores of children with epilepsy in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group. There was a significant correlation between self-esteem and positive coping strategies (Huang, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR11\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e). Researchers surveyed 116 junior high school students from single-parent families and 1,299 junior high school students from non-single-parent families. The results showed a significant correlation between self-esteem and coping strategies. Junior high school students from single-parent families tended to adopt more self-blame and fantasy coping strategies compared to those from non-single-parent families, and their parents were more likely to employ harsh punishment and denial parenting styles. Junior high school students from single-parent families scored lower in the pursuit of success factors and self-esteem compared to those from non-single-parent families (Zhao \u0026amp; Yan, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR43\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e). Based on these studies, Hypothesis 3 is proposed in this study: Self-esteem mediates the relationship between gratitude and coping strategies.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec4\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e1.3 Chain Mediation of Perceived Social Support and Self-Esteem\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eSocial resource theory emphasizes how individuals obtain resources through social support to facilitate adaptation and psychological well-being. These resources may include emotional support (such as comfort and emotional connection), informational support (such as advice and information acquisition), esteem support (such as celebration and expressions of respect), and instrumental support (such as material assistance and practical help). The resources individuals acquire from social support help them cope with challenges, alleviate stress, and promote increases in their levels of psychological well-being and self-esteem (Miller, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR23\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2016\u003c/span\u003e). Building on existing research, we posit that individuals with high levels of gratitude often perceive greater social support and possess stronger self-esteem. Consequently, they are more likely to adopt proactive coping strategies when facing life challenges. Based on this premise, Hypothesis 4 posits that perceived social support and self-esteem each serve as chain mediators between gratitude and coping strategies.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"2 Methods","content":"\u003cdiv id=\"Sec6\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e2.1 Participants\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eUsing cluster sampling, we selected all students (first, second, and third-year high school students) from three high schools out of 20 high schools in Hefei City, Anhui Province, and Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, China, to participate in the study. We strictly adhered to the Helsinki Declaration and obtained approval from the ethical committee responsible for overseeing this study before commencing the current research. As this study planned to conduct research using longitudinal data, three rounds of longitudinal data collection were conducted (with a 4-month interval between each assessment), and all participants were included in the data analysis only if they participated in all three questionnaire surveys.The first questionnaire survey was conducted on January 4, 2023, with a total of 2020 questionnaires distributed and collected, collecting gratitude questionnaire data as the independent variable. The second questionnaire survey took place on May 6, 2023, with a total of 2032 questionnaires distributed and collected, collecting perceived social support and self-esteem questionnaire data as the mediating variables. The third questionnaire survey was conducted on September 6, 2023, with a total of 2025 questionnaires distributed and collected, collecting simplified coping style questionnaire data as the dependent variable. During the three questionnaire surveys mentioned above, a few students were absent due to leave, and their data were excluded. Ultimately, we obtained 2018 valid questionnaires. Among these, the proportion of male participants and female participants was 36.0% and 64.0%, respectively. The proportion of urban and rural participants was 26.6% and 73.4%, respectively. The proportion of first-year, second-year, and third-year high school students was 64.2%, 17.1%, and 18.7%, respectively. The age distribution of participants aged 17 to 22 was 1.3%, 40.5%, 27.1%, 13.8%, 11.5%, and 5.8%, respectively.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec7\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e2.2 Research Instruments\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec8\" class=\"Section3\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e2.2.1 Gratitude Scale\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eWe utilized the gratitude scale revised by Wei et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR39\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2011\u003c/span\u003e). This scale comprises a single factor encompassing six items (e.g., Item 3: \"There is nothing for which I need to feel grateful in this world\"). Responses are recorded on a 7-point Likert scale, with each item presenting seven response options: 1 for \"strongly disagree,\" 2 for \"disagree,\" 3 for \"somewhat disagree,\" 4 for \"uncertain,\" 5 for \"somewhat agree,\" 6 for \"agree,\" and 7 for \"strongly agree.\" A higher score on each item reflects a greater degree of gratitude. Participants were instructed to choose from 1 (strongly disagree) to 7 (strongly agree) for each item. For instance, if they selected \"strongly agree,\" their score for that item would be 7. A higher score indicates a deeper comprehension of gratitude (Wei et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR39\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2011\u003c/span\u003e). In this study, the overall Cronbach's α coefficient for this scale was 0.736.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec9\" class=\"Section3\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e2.2.2 Perceived Social Support Scale\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eWe utilized the Perceived Social Support Scale developed by Zimet et al., consisting of three dimensions: family support (e.g., \"I can discuss my difficulties with my family\"), friend support (e.g., \"My friends can share their joys and sorrows with me\"), and other support (e.g., \"When I encounter difficulties, some individuals (leaders, relatives, colleagues) are a genuine source of comfort for me\").The scale comprises 12 items in total. Responses are recorded on a 7-point Likert scale, with each item providing seven response options: 1 for \"strongly disagree,\" 2 for \"disagree,\" 3 for \"somewhat disagree,\" 4 for \"neutral,\" 5 for \"somewhat agree,\" 6 for \"agree,\" and 7 for \"strongly agree.\" Higher scores on the scale indicate greater perceived social support (Tang \u0026amp; Huang, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR31\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e). The overall Cronbach's α coefficient for this scale in our study was 0.955.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec10\" class=\"Section3\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e2.2.3 Self-Esteem Scale\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Self-Esteem Scale utilized in this investigation is a revised iteration of Rosenberg's scale. It comprises a single factor encompassing 8 items (e.g., Item 1: \"I feel that I am a person of worth, at least on an equal plane with others.\"), of which 5 items are positively scored and 3 items are negatively scored. Employing a Likert 4-point scoring system, each item presents 4 response options: 4 for \"Strongly Agree,\" 3 for \"Agree,\" 2 for \"Disagree,\" and 1 for \"Strongly Disagree.\" A higher score on the scale indicates a heightened level of self-esteem (Chen et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR5\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e). In our study, the overall Cronbach's α coefficient for this scale was 0.789.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec11\" class=\"Section3\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e2.2.4 Brief Coping Strategies Scale\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Brief Coping Strategies Scale employed in this investigation is an adapted iteration of the questionnaire formulated by Folkman and Lazarus. It comprises two factors: positive coping (e.g., Item 8: \"Seek advice from relatives, friends, or classmates\") and negative coping (e.g., Item 19: \"Fantasize that some miracle will change the situation\").The scale encompasses a total of 20 items. It utilizes a Likert 4-point scoring system, with each item offering 4 options: 0 indicating \"Not Used,\" 1 indicating \"Used Occasionally,\" 2 indicating \"Used Sometimes,\" and 3 indicating \"Used Frequently.\" A higher score on the questionnaire indicates a more positive approach to coping (Geng et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR10\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e). In this study, the overall Cronbach's α coefficient of this scale is 0.890.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"3 Data Analysis","content":"\u003cp\u003eData analysis was conducted using SPSS 25.0 and Mplus 7.0. Full information maximum likelihood (FIML) estimation was employed to handle missing values (Enders, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR8\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2010\u003c/span\u003e). Ultimately, data from 2018 participants were included in the analysis. We proceeded with our study in two steps: First, we verified whether Gratitude significantly predicted Coping Strategies. Second, we constructed a structural equation model (see Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e) to examine whether Perceived Social Support and Self-Esteem mediated the relationship between Gratitude and Coping Strategies. Model fit was evaluated based on the following criteria (West et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR38\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2012\u003c/span\u003e): χ2/df\u0026thinsp;\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;5.0, CFI\u0026thinsp;\u0026ge;\u0026thinsp;0.90, TLI\u0026thinsp;\u0026ge;\u0026thinsp;0.90, RMSEA\u0026thinsp;\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;0.08, SRMR\u0026thinsp;\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;0.08.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec13\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e3.1 Common Method Bias Test\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eCommon method bias refers to artificial correlations between variables caused by factors such as using the same survey method, surveyor, or survey time in a study, rather than true relationships. This bias can potentially lead to misleading interpretations of study results, causing relationships between variables to be overinterpreted or misinterpreted. The primary purpose of conducting a common method bias test is to ensure the accuracy and reliability of research results. By examining common method bias, researchers can determine whether the obtained results truly reflect the actual relationships between variables, rather than being influenced by factors such as survey methods. This helps improve the scientific rigor and credibility of the study, ensuring the validity and generalizability of research conclusions.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTo address the issue of common method bias in questionnaire-based research, this study employed measures such as anonymous surveys and reverse-scored items for control. Factor analysis using the Harman single-factor method was conducted, resulting in the extraction of eight factors with eigenvalues greater than 1, explaining 64.396% of the total variance. The first principal factor explained 34.063% of the total variance, fully meeting the criterion of being less than 40% of the critical standard (Tang \u0026amp; Wen, 2020).\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec14\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e3.2 Descriptive Statistics and Correlation Analysis\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eWe conducted descriptive statistics for demographic variables, as shown in Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e. Independent samples t-tests were employed to examine whether there were differences in gratitude, perceived social support, self-esteem, and coping strategies among high school students of different genders and household registrations. The results indicated significant differences in perceived social support among high school students of different genders (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05). Additionally, significant differences were observed in perceived social support, self-esteem, and positive coping strategies among high school students with different household registrations (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05). Refer to Tables\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e and \u003cspan refid=\"Tab3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e for details. In the correlation analysis among variables, we found significant positive correlations among gratitude, perceived social support, self-esteem, and coping strategies, as presented in Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab4\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e.\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\u003eDemographic Variables Statistics\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=\"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 \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c8\" colnum=\"8\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eItems\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eType\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCount\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eProportion\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMean\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eStandard Deviation\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMinimum\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003emaximum\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGenders\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMale\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e726\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e36.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.6402\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.48005\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.00\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.00\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFemale\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1292\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e64.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eHousehold registration\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eRural\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1481\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e73.4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.2661\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.44203\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.00\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.00\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eUrban\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e537\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e26.6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGrade\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFreshman\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1295\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e64.2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.5451\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.78861\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.00\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.00\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSophomore\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e346\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e17.1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eJunior\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e377\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e18.7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"5\" rowspan=\"6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAge\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e17\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e26\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\" morerows=\"5\" rowspan=\"6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e19.1130\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\" morerows=\"5\" rowspan=\"6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.25251\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\" morerows=\"5\" rowspan=\"6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e17.00\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\" morerows=\"5\" rowspan=\"6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e22.00\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e18\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e817\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e40.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e19\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e546\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e27.1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e20\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e279\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13.8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e21\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e232\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e22\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e118\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.8\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\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e29.8717\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.82533\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.00\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e42.00\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePerceived social support\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e60.0610\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13.34191\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12.00\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e84.00\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSelf-Esteen\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e22.8320\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.41800\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.00\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e32.00\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCoping Strategies\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e30.9400\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9.48474\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.00\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e60.00\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 \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab2\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 2\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGender and Household Registration Differences in Gratitude, Perceived Social Support, Self-Esteem, and Coping Strategies among High School Students\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=\"left\" 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\u003eDependent variable\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eIndependent variable\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eF\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSignificance\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\u003eSig(two-tailed)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGratitude\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGenders\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.830\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.001\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-0.890\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.373\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePerceived social support\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e18.527\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.000\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.118\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.034\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSelf-Esteen\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.711\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.010\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.724\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.085\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCoping Strategies\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.883\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.003\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.651\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.099\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\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eHousehold registration\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.448\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.001\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-0.475\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.635\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePerceived social support\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.106\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.024\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-2.212\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.027\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSelf-Esteen\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.350\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.001\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-2.201\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.028\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCoping Strategies\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.251\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.264\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-2.388\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.017\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 \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab3\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 3\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAge and Grade Differences in Gratitude, Perceived Social Support, Self-Esteem, and Coping Strategies among High School Students\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=\"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 \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c8\" colnum=\"8\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDependent variable\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eIndependent variable\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSum of squares\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDegree of freedom\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMean square\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eF\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSig(two-tailed)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGratitude\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"7\" rowspan=\"8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAge\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBetween-group\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e503.895\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e100.779\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.984\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.011\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eWithin-group\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e67941.864\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2012\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e33.768\u003c/p\u003e \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\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePerceived social support\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBetween-group\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3223.185\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e644.637\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.645\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.003\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eWithin-group\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e355816.318\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2012\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e176.847\u003c/p\u003e \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\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSelf-Esteen\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBetween-group\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e185.884\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e37.177\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.200\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.007\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eWithin-group\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e23378.168\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2012\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.619\u003c/p\u003e \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\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCoping Strategies\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBetween-group\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e846.995\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e169.399\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.887\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.093\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eWithin-group\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e180602.750\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2012\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e89.763\u003c/p\u003e \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\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGratitude\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"7\" rowspan=\"8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGrade\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBetween-group\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e892.749\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e446.375\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13.315\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.000\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eWithin-group\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e67553.009\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2015\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e33.525\u003c/p\u003e \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\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePerceived social support\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBetween-group\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10628.165\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5314.082\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e30.733\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.000\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eWithin-group\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e348411.338\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2015\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e172.909\u003c/p\u003e \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\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSelf-Esteen\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBetween-group\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e564.473\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e282.237\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e24.727\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.000\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eWithin-group\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e22999.579\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2015\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.414\u003c/p\u003e \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\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCoping Strategies\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBetween-group\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2637.660\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1318.830\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e14.862\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.000\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eWithin-group\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e178812.085\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2015\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e88.740\u003c/p\u003e \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 \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\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 4\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMean, standard deviation and correlation coefficients of the variables\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"9\"\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 \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c9\" colnum=\"9\"\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\u003eGenders\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAge\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGrade\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eHousehold registration\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGratitude\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePerceived social support\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSelf-Esteen\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCoping Strategies\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGenders\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\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 \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAge\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-0.239**\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1\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 \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGrade\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-0.248**\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.747**\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1\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 \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eHousehold registration\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-0.058**\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.050*\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.101**\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1\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 \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\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\u003e0.020\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-0.010\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-0.022\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.011\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePerceived social support\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-0.047*\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-0.002\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.006\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.049*\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.626**\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSelf-Esteen\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-0.038\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.055*\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.054*\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.049*\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.506**\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.573**\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCoping Strategies\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-0.037\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.041\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.075**\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.053*\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.396**\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.499**\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.363**\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003ctfoot\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"9\"\u003eNote: N\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;2018. *p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05, **p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.01, ***p\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=\"Sec15\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e3.3 Construction and Testing of Structural Equation Model\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eGiven the relatively large number of items included in the Perceived Social Support and Coping Strategies scales, this study employed a parceling technique to accurately reflect the model structure (Wen, Huang \u0026amp; Tang, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR37\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2018\u003c/span\u003e). Gender, age, grade, and household registration were included as covariates in the structural equation model.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eEstablishment of the Structural Equation Model. Firstly, using Gratitude as the predictor variable and Coping Strategies as the outcome variable, we tested whether Gratitude has a significant direct effect on Coping Strategies. The results indicated a significant positive prediction of positive Coping Strategies (β\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.144, p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05), supporting hypothesis 1. Secondly, using Gratitude as the predictor variable and Coping Strategies as the outcome variable, with Perceived Social Support and Self-Esteem as the mediating variables, we established a chained mediation model(Refer to Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e for details). The model fit well: χ 2 /df\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;4.989, p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001, CFI\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.983, TLI\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.974, RMSEA\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.044, SRMR\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.026.The results indicate that by using bias-corrected bootstrap tests with 1000 resamples, significance testing was conducted on the mediating paths. When the 95% confidence interval of the path coefficient estimate does not include 0, the path coefficient is considered significant. The findings demonstrate that Gratitude significantly predicts Coping Strategies through three indirect paths: \"Gratitude \u0026rarr; Perceived social support \u0026rarr; Coping Strategies,\" \"Gratitude \u0026rarr; Self-Esteem \u0026rarr; Coping Strategies,\" and \"Gratitude \u0026rarr; Perceived social support \u0026rarr; Self-Esteem \u0026rarr; Coping Strategies\", As shown in Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab5\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\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 5\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003epresents the bootstrap analysis results for testing the significance of the mediating effects\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"4\"\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 \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eModel pathways\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eEstimated\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e95%CI\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLower\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eUpper\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGratitude\u0026rarr;Perceived social support\u0026rarr;Coping Strategies\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.355\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.302\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.410\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGratitude\u0026rarr;Self-Esteen\u0026rarr;Coping Strategies\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.016\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.007\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.029\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGratitude\u0026rarr;Perceived social support\u0026rarr;Self-Esteen\u0026rarr;Coping Strategies\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.045\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.029\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.063\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"4 Discussion","content":"\u003cp\u003eThis study found that gratitude positively predicts coping strategies, supporting Hypothesis 1. According to Self-Efficacy Theory, self-efficacy not only influences individuals' goal selection but also affects their behavioral patterns. When engaging in tasks, individuals tend to choose the most likely path to success. In daily life, people develop their own behavioral patterns that are difficult to change, possibly because familiar behaviors enhance self-efficacy. During action, individuals adjust their behavioral goals and patterns based on feedback from behavioral outcomes, thereby continuously adapting their actions (Bandura, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1997\u003c/span\u003e). Research indicates that gratitude is a positive emotional state that enhances psychological resilience and resources, thereby promoting more effective coping strategies (Wood et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR40\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2010\u003c/span\u003e). Specifically, gratitude helps individuals perceive life events more positively, improve psychological well-being, reduce stress levels, mitigate the impact of negative emotions, enhance problem-solving abilities, and utilize social support (Li et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR15\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2019\u003c/span\u003e; Emmons \u0026amp; Stern, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR4\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2013\u003c/span\u003e). These mechanisms of gratitude underscore its importance and positive impact in coping processes. Therefore, gratitude education plays a crucial role in fostering positive psychological development in children. Hence, parents should demonstrate gratitude in family education, such as expressing gratitude and appreciation to others in daily life, and encouraging children to express gratitude through actions like writing thank-you notes or performing small acts of kindness. In schools, teachers can incorporate gratitude education into the curriculum by using stories, case studies, and role-playing to help students understand and experience gratitude. Teachers should also model gratitude in their daily teaching practices to inspire students to cultivate gratitude.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis study confirmed that perceived social support serves as a mediator between gratitude and coping strategies, supporting Hypothesis 2. Social Support Theory emphasizes the significant impact of support from the social environment and interpersonal relationships on individuals' health and happiness when coping with life stressors and adversity. This theory posits that social support can originate from family members, friends, colleagues, and social institutions, encompassing emotional support (such as comfort and understanding), instrumental support (such as material aid and information provision), and evaluative support (such as feedback and advice). Social support can influence individuals in various ways, including stress reduction, enhanced self-esteem, facilitation of adaptive coping, and strengthening of psychological resilience (Lakey et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR18\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2010\u003c/span\u003e).Research indicates that gratitude can enhance individuals' coping abilities, making them more inclined to adopt positive coping strategies (Huang et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR12\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e). Moreover, it can increase individuals' perceived social support levels by providing them with more emotional and psychological resources, thereby reducing the likelihood of adopting negative coping strategies and enabling more effective management of various challenges and stressors in life (Wu et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR35\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e). Although individuals' gratitude can indeed lead to higher levels of perceived social support, the enhancement of perceived social support can be continuously improved through various means, such as actively participating in group activities, fostering a positive and supportive atmosphere, enhancing relationships through praise and encouragement, and building trust with others. Learning to communicate proactively with others, maintaining regular contact with friends and family, expressing one's needs and feelings, and also listening to others' opinions and advice can all contribute to this improvement.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis study found that self-esteem mediates the relationship between gratitude and coping strategies, supporting hypothesis 3. Attribution Theory primarily explores how individuals interpret their own and others' behaviors and how these interpretations affect their emotions and motivations. Behavioral reasons are often attributed to internal factors (such as personality, emotions, abilities, or effort) and external situational factors (such as task difficulty, luck, or assistance from others), which can influence individuals' emotional responses and behavioral motivations (Weiner, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR36\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2018\u003c/span\u003e; Martinko et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR21\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e). For example, if a person attributes failure to unstable external factors (such as bad luck), they may not feel much frustration, whereas attributing failure to stable internal factors (such as lack of ability) may lead to a blow to self-esteem and a lack of motivation. Gratitude can reduce unhealthy social comparisons. Practicing gratitude directs individuals' attention to the positive aspects of their own lives rather than comparing themselves to others. This process of reducing negative social comparisons helps to enhance individuals' self-esteem (Caputo, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR6\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2015\u003c/span\u003e).Individuals with high self-esteem tend to maintain an optimistic and positive mindset. They believe in their ability to face challenges and, when confronted with difficulties, are more inclined to seek out the positive aspects and potential opportunities rather than dwell on negative thoughts (Neff \u0026amp; Vonk, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR25\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2008\u003c/span\u003e). This study validates the importance of self-esteem. However, we believe that how to cultivate children's self-esteem is even more crucial because it is a long-term process that requires continuous effort to have a substantive impact. For example, parents and teachers should listen to children's thoughts and feelings, respect their viewpoints, provide affirmation and encouragement, and avoid using negative language or critical attitudes towards them, ensuring that they feel valued and understood.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis study further confirms that gratitude can positively predict coping strategies through the sequential mediating effects of perceived social support and self-esteem, supporting hypothesis 4. Expressing gratitude typically fosters and strengthens social relationships. When individuals express gratitude, they enhance their connections with others, promoting positive interactions and emotional bonds. This behavior not only makes the expresser feel supported but also encourages those around them to be more willing to offer help and support, thereby increasing their levels of perceived social support (Algoe, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2012\u003c/span\u003e). Attachment Theory emphasizes the influence of early attachment relationships on later social relationships and self-concept. Perceived social support resembles secure attachment relationships, making individuals feel secure and accepted, thus enhancing self-esteem. The sense of security and trust in attachment relationships can extend to other social relationships, strengthening individuals' self-efficacy and self-esteem (Mikulincer \u0026amp; Shaver, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR24\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2009\u003c/span\u003e). Therefore, individuals who are grateful tend to have higher levels of perceived social support, feel the kindness of their surroundings, have higher self-esteem, and are thus more likely to engage in prosocial behaviors.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"5 Limitations and Implications","content":"\u003cp\u003eThere are several limitations in this study. Firstly, all data in this study were self-reported by students, which may not necessarily reflect the actual situation. Future research should employ multi-source reporting methods to collect data. Secondly, in this study, data on the independent, mediating, and dependent variables were collected separately in three questionnaire surveys, thus precluding the possibility of conducting cross-lagged analysis.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAlthough this study has some limitations, we have made new progress based on previous research. Firstly, we not only applied social resource theory, emotion regulation theory, and self-esteem protection theory in empirical research, but also utilized Longitudinal Cross-sectional Data to conduct the study, making the results more reliable. Secondly, by collecting data from a large sample size, we could better reflect the real situation of the study. Thirdly, by constructing a structural equation model, we verified the mechanism of gratitude on coping strategies, providing new knowledge for theoretical and empirical research on the relationship between gratitude and coping strategies.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"6 Conclusion","content":"\u003cp\u003eGratitude not only significantly predicts coping strategies in a positive direction but also positively predicts coping strategies through the independent mediating effects of perceived social support and self-esteem, as well as through the bivariate mediating effects of perceived social support and self-esteem. Given the close relationship between gratitude and coping strategies, schools and families should pay attention to cultivating children's gratitude psychology, which can help them adopt more positive coping strategies.\u003c/p\u003e "},{"header":"Declarations","content":"\u003cp\u003e \u003cb\u003eEthics statement\u003c/b\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Tourism College of Zhejiang(No. ZT780637). All participants volunteered to participate in the experiment, and written informed consent was given to and supported by their guardians.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cb\u003eHuman Ethics and Informed Consent Statement\u003c/b\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWe respect the privacy of the participants. Information used to identify participants, such as names and genders, should not be described in writing in the article. Participants were involved in the study only after fully understanding its purpose.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003ch2\u003eConsent for publication\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eNot applicable.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eCompeting interests\u003c/strong\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that might influence the work reported here.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFunding\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis study was supported by a research grant from Tourism college of Zhejiang funder(Project No. 2023CGYB05).\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAuthor Contribution\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn this study, Z. Y. was mainly responsible for the search of scientific literature and the signing of the informed consent form of the subjects, P. D. was mainly responsible for the distribution and retrieval of the questionnaires and data processing, J. Z. and J. Y. was mainly responsible for the writing of the thesis, the development of the research methodology, and the selection of the statistical analysis software.All authors were involved in data analysis, drafting or revising the article, ultimately approving the published version of the article, and agreeing to take responsibility for all aspects of the work.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAcknowledgement\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis study was supported by a research grant from Tourism college of Zhejiang (Project No. 2023CGYB05).\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eData Availability Statement\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe datasets used and/or analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAlgoe SB. Find, remind, and bind: The functions of gratitude in everyday relationships. 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Guangxi Med J. 2023;45(7):816\u0026ndash;20.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\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, Coping Strategies, Perceived Social Support, Self-Esteem, Mediation Effect Test","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-4804868/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-4804868/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003e \u003cb\u003ePurpose\u003c/b\u003e This study evaluated the potential relationship between gratitude and coping strategies, examining the mediating effects of perceived social support and self-esteem between gratitude and coping strategies.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cb\u003eMethods\u003c/b\u003e Starting from January 2023, our research team conducted three longitudinal surveys on 2018 high school students, using Mplus software to construct a structural equation model to explore the relationships between gratitude, coping strategies, perceived social support, and self-esteem.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cb\u003eResults\u003c/b\u003e Gratitude can significantly predict coping strategies directly and indirectly through perceived social support and self-esteem.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cb\u003eConclusion\u003c/b\u003e Gratitude can significantly and positively predict coping strategies both directly and indirectly. This study delves into the complex relationship between gratitude and coping strategies, deepening our understanding of this dynamic. Schools and families should prioritize strengthening children's gratitude education and nurturing their confidence and self-esteem to help them cultivate a positive mindset and engage in positive prosocial behaviors.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"The Relationship Between Gratitude and Coping Strategies: A Mediation Analysis Based on Longitudinal Cross-sectional Data","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2024-09-04 21:53:37","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-4804868/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":"17bf586d-0d40-46cb-8865-c9d3d44ba0a0","owner":[],"postedDate":"September 4th, 2024","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"posted","subjectAreas":[],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2025-01-23T08:39:01+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2024-09-04 21:53:37","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-4804868","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-4804868","identity":"rs-4804868","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"qtupq5eGEP_6zYnWcrvyt","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}