When a child shows or feels gratitude, how does it affect other areas of his or her life over time? How best could we bring this practice into schools? What techniques in which settings produce the best results? Inspired by an act of kindness received while recovering from a childhood illness, Giacomo Bono has been studying the answers to these questions and more, adding to a growing body of research on the science of gratitude. While they’re a few years away from definitive conclusions, one study linked expressions of gratitude with an increase in prosocial behavior, satisfaction with life, hope, and search for purpose, and less antisocial behavior and depression. Another study suggested gratitude was responsible for an increase in achievement, grit, positive social conduct, relationships with peers and teachers, and school satisfaction. In this interesting article, a closer look at the studies so far.
