Longitudinal relationship between trait gratitude and subjective well-being in adolescents: Evidence from the bi-factor model

Previous studies have rarely explored the predictive causality relationship between trait gratitude and subjective well-being (SWB) that has been demonstrated to have a bi-factor structure (i.e., three specific factors and a general factor of SWB). A sample of 494 adolescents participated in a two-wave study including the measurements of trait gratitude and SWB. We employed structural equation modeling techniques to assess cross-lagged effects between trait gratitude and the bi-factor structure of SWB (i.e., life satisfaction, negative affect, positive affect and the general SWB factor) in four models. The results showed that trait gratitude could predict life satisfaction and positive affect, but could not predict negative affect and the general SWB factor over two months. Besides, there was no evidence for the reverse or reciprocal relationships between trait gratitude and the bi-factor structure of SWB. Implications and future directions of the findings were discussed.