The Role of Emotion Regulation in Body-Focused Gratitude: Impacts on Well-Being, Body Compassion, and Behavioural Intentions

Abstract Gratitude is a positive emotion that increases well-being and body image. Across two studies, we explored the impact of general and body gratitude and the role of emotional regulation on well-being, health behavioural intentions, and body compassion. In Study 1 ( N = 382), we used a cross-sectional design to assess associations between body and general gratitude and emotion regulation with well-being, health behavioural intentions, and body compassion. The results showed that emotion regulation was positively associated with both trait general and body gratitude, and in turn both trait general and body gratitude were linked to greater well-being, health behavioural intentions, and body compassion. Specifically, trait general gratitude better correlated with well-being, life satisfaction, and weight loss intentions, whereas, trait body gratitude had a stronger correlation with affect, exercise intentions, and body compassion. In Study 2 ( N = 425), we experimentally induced general or body gratitude (vs. control) and tested the effect of emotion regulation on well-being outcomes. The results showed that body gratitude (vs. control) increased body compassion; whereas general gratitude (vs. control) increased well-being and weight loss intentions. Additionally, the results showed that greater emotion regulation was associated with higher gratitude and in turn greater well-being, intention to exercise, and body compassion in the general and body gratitude intervention (vs. control). These findings suggest that general and body gratitude relate to well-being and that emotion regulation plays a key role in the benefits of gratitude.