Family Economic Status and Sense of Gratitude Among Filipino Adolescents

The literature suggests that socioeconomic conditions may be associated with youth psychological wellbeing. In this study, we assessed the relative impact of family income on the gratitude of Filipino adolescents. The participants (N =522, 86% females) ages 16–25 completed measures of gratitude and socioeconomic status. Results indicated that family income was inversely related to students’ sense of gratitude. Participants from more impoverished families report significantly higher measures of gratitude scores than peers from higher-income families, controlling for age and gender. This finding suggests that family income may shape the gratitude orientation of young Filipinos. The study encourages educators to develop psychological support services tailored for students across socioeconomic spectrums and inform policymakers about crafting youth programs that capitalize on the strengths exhibited by adolescents from varying economic backgrounds. Further research into the psychological effects of economic status suggests other factors may contribute to a sense of gratitude.