Relationships between gratitude, self-compassion and coping strategies in late adolescence
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64838/jmht.2025.273910Keywords:
adolescent, coping skills, gratitude, self-compassionAbstract
Objective: To examine the relationships between gratitude, self-compassion, and coping strategies in Thai late adolescents.
Methods: An online cross-sectional study was conducted with adolescents, aged between 18 and 21 years, from educational institutions in Bangkok and its metropolitan area. The questionnaires included demographic data, the Gratitude Questionnaire, the Self-Compassion Scale, and the Brief Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced Inventory. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the Spearman’s rank correlation.
Results: A total of 438 participants completed the questionnaires. Most were female, aged 21 years, and enrolled in government institutions. The average scores were as follows: gratitude 29.04 (SD = 5.20), self-compassion 19.92 (SD = 2.99), adaptive coping strategies 48.31 (SD = 7.33), and maladaptive coping strategies 29.93 (SD = 5.58). The gratitude demonstrated a moderate positive correlation with self-compassion (r = .31, p < .001) and adaptive coping strategies (r = .36, p < .001), as well as a weak negative correlation with maladaptive coping strategies (r = -.20, p < .001).
Conclusion: Late adolescence with a higher level of gratitude are more likely to show greater self-compassion and employ more adaptive coping strategies. These findings suggest the potential for designing accessible activities that promote gratitude, which can help adolescents improve their mental well-being and develop more effective stress management skills.
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