Home > JOURNALSANDNEWSLETTERS > INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF TRANSPERSONAL STUDIES > Vol. 33 (2016) > Iss. 1
DOI
10.24972/ijts.2014.33.1.1
Abstract
The importance of gratitude in interpersonal relationships is well recognized, but less
is known about experiences of gratitude beyond this domain. The authors sought to
examine the lived experience of gratitude as it arises in a transpersonal context. Drawing
from interviews with 68 adults, the authors generated 110 items. In two separate studies
(n = 314; n = 385) the authors culled the scale to sixteen items by using a combination of
Cronbach’s alpha, exploratory factor analysis, and assessments of content validity. Internal
consistency for the overall scale and the subscales was high with a Cronbach’s alpha of
0.88. A confirmatory factor analysis revealed strong fit indices for the factor structure. The
final scale exhibited good convergent validity, as quantified by positive correlations with
positive reciprocity, grateful disposition, empathy, and spiritual transcendence. In addition,
the final scale exhibited good discriminant validity, as quantified by negative correlations
with negative reciprocity. These results indicate that our assessment of gratitude is similar
to previous assessments of gratitude, but also distinct from scales that quantify negative
reciprocity. Conclusions are drawn regarding the theoretical structure of gratitude and the
importance of adding a transpersonal and spiritual dimension to the construct.
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Recommended Citation
Hlava, P., Elfers, J., & Offringa, R. (2014). Hlava, P., Elfers, J., & Offringa, R. (2014). A transcendent view of gratitude: The transpersonal gratitude scale. International Journal of Transpersonal Studies, 33(1), 1–14.. International Journal of Transpersonal Studies, 33 (1). https://doi.org/10.24972/ijts.2014.33.1.1