Longitudinal Relationship between Gratitude and Benign/Malicious Envy: Evidence from a Cross-Lagged Analysis

Liying Zhang,

doi:10.32604/ijmhp.2022.018640

School of Educational Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, China
*Corresponding Author: Lijun Yang. Email: yanglj7291@163.com
Received: 07 August 2021; Accepted: 27 October 2021

With positive psychology booming, researchers have focused on trait gratitude [1–3]. Trait gratitude is a positive outlook, which refers to an orientation to notice the positive outcomes that one obtains [4]. Trait gratitude positively affects the well-being of adolescents, such as life satisfaction and positive affect [5]. In addition, trait gratitude is associated with less negative emotion, such as envy [6]. What’s more, recent research points out that there are two types: benign envy has a constructive significance, while malicious envy is related to destruction [7,8]. However, little research has examined the causal link between gratitude and envy, let alone the causal link between gratitude and two types of envy among adolescents. Given all this, based on the broaden-and-build theory, the present study aimed to explore the causal relationship between gratitude and two types of envy among adolescents from a longitudinal perspective. At the same time, the cross-lagged study can enrich the research of gratitude and envy and find appropriate interventions that reduce the negative influence of envy, and improve well-being among adolescents.

Based on the broaden-and-build theory, gratitude may be an antecedent of benign/malicious envy. The broaden-and-build theory asserts that positive emotions such as gratitude can develop the breadth of instant thought and action, and build personal resources: from physical and intelligent resources to mental and social resources [9]. On the one hand, gratitude can broaden the cognitive horizon and help individuals build positive emotions or attributes. For instance, Tian et al. [10] have discovered, grateful people were inclined to feel more positive emotions, leading to more positive evaluations of their environments. On the other hand, gratitude helps to build abundant personal resources. For example, gratitude can construct resilience and social support [11,12]. In short, gratitude benefits individuals from the higher level of self-assessment and more personal resources, which may further lead to a higher sense of control in upward social comparison, and then triggers a high frequency of benign envy rather than malicious envy [13]. Therefore, in upward social comparison, individuals with high gratitude may generate more benign envy, less malicious envy. In addition, some correlation studies have found that gratitude is positively related to benign envy and negatively related to malicious envy [14,15]. Therefore, this study proposed the first hypothesis is the following: Preceding gratitude may positively predict following benign envy, while negatively predict later malicious envy.

Furthermore, benign envy and malicious envy may be the antecedents of gratitude. From an evolutionary perspective, envy is regarded as an innate human tendency and ability [16]. Therefore, envy as an inborn emotion may have a gigantic impact on the change of gratitude. For example, as Klein [17] emphasized, envy makes people pay attention to what he lacks, distracts the individual from focusing on or being pleased about the blessings he does own, which might hold back gratefulness. Previous studies have confirmed the robust inverse relationship between envy and gratitude [6,18,19]. In addition, Solom et al. [20] used a prospective design and found that after controlling for initial levels of gratitude, Time 1 envy had a negative predication on Time 2 gratitude. Thus, envy may inhibit gratitude. In addition, two types of envy may have diverse effects on gratitude. For one thing, benign envy may lead to gratitude, such as appreciating the envied who practically situates higher positions [7]. Besides, individuals with higher levels of benign envy were more likely to show high self-esteem [21], which causes people to appreciate the positive outcomes that they obtain [22]. For another, malicious envy may inhabit gratitude. Individuals with malicious envy present higher narcissism in daily life [23], and they regard most benefits as things they are entitled to and cause a low level of grateful [24]. Thus, considering the evidence mentioned above, we proposed Hypothesis 2 in the following: Prior benign envy might positively predict subsequent gratitude, prior malicious envy might negatively predict succeeding gratitude.

The present study would extend prior work in the following ways. First, the existing studies on the relationship between gratitude and benign/malicious envy are almost all cross-sectional studies. What’s more, cross-sectional studies cannot test the causal relationship between variables. Therefore, this research adopts a longitudinal study that helps comprehensively understand the predictive causality effect between them. Second, given that adolescents experience major physical and psychosocial changes with rapid growth and development [25], testing the predictive causality effect between gratitude and benign/malicious envy would provide new knowledge about well-being in the period. Third, our cross-lagged study would contribute to finding interventions that exert the constructive function of envy from the perspective of positive psychology.

In conclusion, the current study would examine the predictive causality link between gratitude and the two types of envy through a longitudinal study in Chinese adolescents.

Participants were 906 students aged 8 to 15 years (Mage = 11.20 years, SD = 1.65 years, 444 males and 462 females, 452 pupils, and 454 junior school students) who were recruited from one primary school and two junior high schools in China. The study is a longitudinal tracking study, so when sampling, we mainly considered those schools that are interested in this project, and finally determined the three schools that are interested in the tracking plan of this project.

The current study used a longitudinal design. Through cluster sampling, participants in two junior high schools and one primary school were recruited in Hunan Province, China. At Time 1 (T1) 937 students of Grades 4th, 5th, 7th, and 8th participated in this study. After one year’s interval, these students were asked to finish the same questionnaires at Time 2 (T2). After deleting the missing data (some students were sick, transferred, and dropped out) or data with erroneous ID information, finally, a total of 906 valid samples were obtained. The sample attrition rate is 3.30%, which is negligible. All participants volunteered for the present study and signed informed consents before the study. Then they completed all questionnaires in the classroom at the same time with the help of the school. The ethical principles of the research have been approved by the Academic Committee of the School of Psychology of Hunan Normal University.

Gratitude was evaluated by the GQ-6 [4] The scale includes six items (e.g., ‘I feel pleased for what I have obtained in life’), and each item is evaluated on a 7-point Likert scale (1, strongly disagree; 7, strongly agree). It has been supported that the Chinese version of the GQ-6 has acceptable reliability and validity [26,27]. To explore whether the questionnaire applies to primary school students and junior high school students, we conducted a confirmatory factor analysis. The results showed a good fit in primary school students (χ2(9,906) = 19.674, p < 0.001, RMSEA = 0.051, SRMR = 0.032, CFI = 0.978, NNFI = 0.960) and junior high school students (χ2(9,906) = 42.437, p < 0.001, RMSEA = 0.064, SRMR = 0.050, CFI = 0.939, NNFI = 0.924). The Cronbach alpha coefficients of the GQ-6 were 0.71 in primary school students and 0.71 in junior high school students. In the existing research, the Cronbach alpha coefficients of the GQ-6 were 0.66 at T1 and 0.71 at T2.

The 10-items Benign and Malicious Envy Scale was utilized to estimate benign envy and spiteful envy (BeMaS) [28]. The BeMaS is a 6-point gradation from 1 “strongly disagree” to 6 “strongly agree”, consisting of 5 items for BE (benign envy) and 5 items for ME (malicious envy). Example items include “Envying others encourages me to finish my purposes” for surveying BE and “I wish that better people forfeit their advantage” for weighing ME. The Chinese version of the BeMaS has acceptable reliability and validity in Chinese college students [27,29] and Chinese adolescents [30]. In the present examination, the Cronbach alpha index of BE and ME subscale were 0.71 and 0.85 at T1, and 0.82 and 0.84 at T2, respectively.

We employed SPSS 21.0 and Amos 24.0 to dissect the obtained statistics. Firstly, a correlation examination was adopted to inspect the associations among the hidden variables using SPSS 21.0. Secondly, in order to explore the link between characteristic gratitude and BeMaS, we made use of constructional equation mold procedure to calculate a cross-lagged model between feature gratitude and BeMaS using Amos 24.0. Specifically, four conflicting constructional equation models were constructed to explore the causal link between feature gratitude and BeMaS (see Fig. 1).

Model 1 as a reference line model, was a representative autoregressive model without cross-lagged effect. Temporary permanence of the variable over time was revealed by the model. Based on Model 1, a standard causality model (Model 2) was established. In the model, cross-lagged routes from peculiarity gratitude at Time 1 to BE at Time 2 and ME at Time 2 were added. Furthermore, based on Model 1, a contrary causation model (Model 3) was also confirmed. The Model 3 extended Model 1 by putting in cross-lagged routes from BE at Time 1 and ME at Time 1 to trait gratitude at Time 2. Finally, we created a mutual causation model (Model 4) in which all autoregressive and cross-lagged routes from Model 1 to Model 3 were involved.

The total fit of four models were estimated by a series of good-of-fit indexes: Tucker–Lewis indicatrix (TLI), comparative fit indicatrix (CFI), standardized root mean square residual (SRMR) and root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA). If TLI and CFI are bigger than 0.90, SRMR and RMSEA are littler than 0.08, the model is believed to fit well [31]. χ2 was also described, but not employed to gauge the fit of the four models because of its great susceptibility to the size of sample [32].

In this survey, variables were measured by a self-report technique, so there might occur a common technique biases effect. Thus, necessary controls were employed during the data collection process. For example, researchers emphasized the confidentiality of research data to the participants. In addition, we also carefully examined whether common method biases effect existed by Harman’s single-factor inspection [33]. The results found that 4 factors with characteristic root greater than 1 in both measurements, and the eigenvalue of the first factor were 29.84% at the first measurement and 29.72% in the second measurement. Therefore, there was no severe common technique bias outcome in this study.

First, the effect sizes of the subjects’ gratitude and benign/malicious envy were examined. Second, a 2 × 2 (time × gender) repeated measures testing of variance was made on the variables (see Table 1). The results presented that the effect sizes of gratitude and malicious envy were small, and the proportion of non-repetition was less than 14.7%. The effect size of benign envy was intermediate in the two measurements, and the proportion of non-repetition ranged from 14.7% to 33.0%. In addition, no gender difference was found in gratitude, benign envy, and malicious envy. Therefore, gender was not involved in the model as a command variable in succeeding data analysis.

Table 2 imparted the descriptive information (means and standard deviations) and correlations among characteristic gratitude, BE and ME at two time points. As expected, at T1 and T2, trait gratitude, and BE were quite positively associated with each other, and trait gratitude and BE were actually negatively related to ME.

We examined the stability and cross-lagged effects among trait gratitude, BE, and ME. Cross-lagged effects refer to the prediction of one variable by the other, controlling for their stability over time. Summary fit indices for the four constructed models (Model 1–Model 4; see Fig. 1) were reported in Table 3. As showed in Table 3, all the models presented a good to exceptional fit according to the indicators. In addition, normalized steadiness and cross-lagged modulus were displayed in Table 4.

First, the autoregressive model (Model 1) was created to examine the temporal constancy of each variable as time goes by. The results found that the model showed a good fit: χ2(69, N = 906) = 238.868, p < 0.001, RMSEA = 0.052, SRMR = 0.057, CFI = 0.965, TLI = 0.953 (see Table 3). As showing in Table 3, significant steadiness effects for all measures are found, indicating that these variables were relatively stable over time.

Second, the causation model from trait gratitude to two forms of envy (Model 2) was tested. In the model, we added the cross-lagged routes from trait gratitude at T1 to BE at T2 and ME at T2 based on Model 1. Model 2 also showed a good fit: χ2(67, N = 906)= 224.514, p < 0.001, RMSEA = 0.051, SRMR = 0.051, CFI = 0.967, TLI = 0.955. The autoregressive routes remained significant and stable. And the results revealed that trait gratitude at T1 could positively forecast BE (β = 0.180, p < 0.001) at T2, and negatively forecast ME (β = −0.13, p < 0.01) at T2. This indicated that trait gratitude could positively predict benign envy and negatively predict malicious envy over time.

Third, the reverse causation model (Model 3) was examined. In the model, we added reverse routes from BE and ME at T1 to trait gratitude at T2 to Model 1. The model showed an acceptable fit: χ2(67, N = 906) = 238.000, p < 0.001, RMSEA = 0.053, SRMR = 0.057, CFI = 0.964, TLI = 0.952. The autoregressive routes in Model 3 remained prominent and permanent. However, the results directly indicated that all cross-lagged routes were non-significant. That is, BE and ME could not predict trait gratitude over time.

Finally, we tested the reciprocal causation model (Model 4), and found similar patterns of results to Model 2. The model displayed an acceptable fit: χ2(65, N = 906)= 222.513, p < 0.001, RMSEA = 0.052,SRMR = 0.051, CFI = 0.964, TLI = 0.952. The findings found that gratitude at T1 could positively predict BE at T2 (β = 0.192, p < 0.001) and could negatively predict ME at T2 (β = −0.11, p < 0.01), and other cross-lagged routes were not significant.

In order to further explore the influence of irrelevant variables on the model results, we controlled the two important demographic variables (gender and age), and found that the results of Model 4 are still stable: χ2(60, N = 906) = 74.119, p < 0.001, RMSEA = 0.042, SRMR = 0.043, CFI = 0.979, TLI = 0.968. The findings found that gratitude at T1 could positively predict BE at T2 (β = 0.166, p < 0.001) and could negatively predict ME at T2 (β = −0.185, p < 0.05), while BE at T1 could not positively predict gratitude at T2 (β = −0.013, p = 0.802) and ME at T1 could not negatively predict gratitude at T2 (β = −0.024, p = 0.624).

In addition, considering that adolescence is a period of rapid physical and mental development, the study chose elementary school students and junior high school students as two different groups to construct Model 4, and explored the stability of the research results in different stages. The two model displayed an acceptable fit, Model 4 in elementary school students (Model 4-a): χ2(41, N = 906) = 47.704, p = 0.219, RMSEA = 0.019, SRMR = 0.025, CFI = 0.997, TLI = 0.995; Model 4 in junior high school students (Model 4-b): χ2(41, N = 906) = 63.119, p < 0.05, RMSEA = 0.035, SRMR = 0.024, CFI = 0.991, TLI = 0.986). Besides, according to Byrne’s research [34], based on indicators such as basic parameter factor-loading, error variance and structural covariance equal, we compared the models between elementary school students and junior high school students. It turns out that there are differences in Model 4 between elementary school students and junior high school students (Δχ2 (45, N = 906) = 199.769, p < 0.001).

We further compare the path differences of the two models (Model 4-a, Model 4-b) based on the rule of CRD > 1.96 [35]. The results showed that the predictive effect of gratitude on malicious envy is different among elementary school students and junior high school students (CRD = 2.803 > 1.96). The predictive effect is significantly higher in elementary school students (β = −0.237, p < 0.05) than in junior high school students (β = −0.135, p < 0.05).

In sum, the outcomes revealed that characteristic gratitude at Time 1 could positively forecast BE at Time 2, and it could negatively forecast ME at Time 2. Furthermore, there was no absolute evidence for the reversal or mutual relationship between peculiarity gratitude and BeMaS.

To explore the predictive causality relationship between gratitude and benign/malicious envy, the present research conducted a longitudinal study between gratitude and benign/malicious envy in Chinese adolescents. Our findings revealed that gratitude was a certain positive predictor of benign envy and a dependable negative predictor of malicious envy in Chinese adolescents, which supported Hypothesis 1. Furthermore, there was no indication for the reversal or mutual relationship between gratitude and benign/malicious envy. The study extended the correlated theories about the link between gratitude and benign/malicious envy, and provided empirical evidence for how to exert the positive effect of envy and gratitude among adolescents.

Specifically, these results are consistent with previous cross-sectional studies reporting the relation between gratitude and BeMaS among undergraduates [14,15]. However, it did not consider whether there was a reverse or reciprocal relationship between gratitude and BeMaS. In addition, concerning the causal link between gratitude and envy has also been indirectly supported by former experimental research. For example, Lambert et al. [36] found that experimentally induced gratefulness resulted in low materialism, which is closely related to envy, in a high gratitude condition in undergraduates. Besides, Mao et al. [19] used the scenario method found that context gratitude inhibits context envy and circumstance gratitude takes a partial mediating function between trait gratitude and context envy in university students. But these experimental studies do not distinguish between benign and malicious envy. What’s more, the above studies are not concerned about adolescents. In summary, the present research extends previous findings to the adolescent population, provides further evidence for the temporal directionality of the link between gratitude and BeMaS, and provides practical support for envy and gratitude interventions among Chinese adolescents.

So why does gratitude have different effects on different kinds of envy? The broaden-and-build theory provides a perspective for understanding the causal relationship between gratitude and benign/malicious envy. Specifically, according to the broaden-and-build theory, gratitude, as a positive emotion, expands the individual’s thoughts and builds their lasting positive resources [9], which leads to a high sense of control and deservingness in the fact of upward social comparison, and then causes more benign envy [13]. In contrast, people with low gratitude result in narrow vision and lack of resources, and lead to a higher sense of unfairness, which contributes to malicious envy in upward social comparison [13]. Therefore, gratitude could forecast benign envy positively and malicious envy negatively.

In addition, benign/malicious envy did not predict gratitude over time, which did not support Hypothesis 2. This suggested that there was no bi-directional liaison between gratitude and benign/malicious envy. That is to say, gratitude would affect the change of benign/malicious envy, but not vice versa. Thus, benign/malicious envy is not a predictive factor for gratitude. Gratitude may appear earlier than envy as a social emotion, at least in the context of Chinese culture. Both benign envy and malicious envy lead to people notice that they lack while others have [37], instead of focusing on what they have, such as gratitude [4]. However, there may be other valuable factors, which react to gratitude. For example, a secure style is probably critical for gratefulness, no matter occurrence or development [38,39].

The current research also has some limitations. First, the current work did not explore the possible mechanism between gratitude and benign/malicious envy. Future research should explore the psychological mechanism underlying the link between gratitude and envy, such as social support and other potential variables. Second, the data relied on self-report measurement, thus social desirability bias might exist. Future studies can carry out experimental studies on situational gratitude and benign/malicious envy. Third, although the total sample size of this study is considerable, the sample size is limited to Chinese adolescents. Besides, there are some measurement deviations because children may not fully understand some items of gratitude and envy scales. The stability and applicable population range of the study results need to be tested. Future studies can consider the reliability of the results in different populations.

In summary, the current study explored the predictive causality link between gratitude and benign/malicious envy from a longitudinal perspective. Firstly, the findings provide further evidence for the temporal directionality of the association between gratitude and benign/malicious envy. At the same time, this study also had some practical significance in gratitude interventions that reduce the negative influence of envy among adolescents. Previous studies have found that gratitude interventions could alleviate negative emotions and improve personal wellbeing among adolescents [40,41]. For instance, the educators could add gratitude into existing programs (e.g., character education), which may motivate students to focus on their beautiful life experiences [42].

Acknowledgement: The authors are grateful for the support and grant funding contributed by Department of Education Project of Hunan Province of China (Grant No. 2019291174).

Funding Statement: This work was supported by Department of Education Project of Hunan Province of China (Grant No. 2019291174).

Conflicts of Interest: The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest to report regarding the present study.

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