Research on Gratitude, Parent-Child Relationships, and Children’s Well-Being

A literature review published in Developmental Review found that grateful children usually have caring, supportive parents who show gratitude and build strong bonds with them. This positive relationship helps children grow emotionally and socially.

It also found that children who show gratitude often feel more satisfied with their lives, experience happier emotions, and have better mental health. Gratitude isn't just about saying “thank you” – it can improve how young people handle stress and feel emotionally about themselves and their lives.

These results support various theories, such as the “broaden-and-build theory,” which explains that positive emotions expand the way people think and act in the moment.

Meaning, they can think of more options and possibilities, which leads to better problem-solving, stronger social connections, and resilience.

Understanding the Research

The current study aimed to explore two main questions:

• What are the roots of gratitude in children?
• What are the implications of children's gratitude on their well-being?

So, the authors did a comprehensive review of existing published studies focused on the following:

• Children’s gratitude as it relates to parent-child relationships
• The relationship between children's gratitude and their well-being

The review found that children’s gratitude is positively linked to various factors in parent-child relationships, such as:

Attachment security

This refers to the degree of trust and safety a child feels in their relationship with their parent or caregiver. Children with secure attachments are more likely to feel valued, and this makes it easier for them to appreciate the acts of kindness they receive from others.

Parental niche selection

This involves the roles and environments parents create for their children, including their opportunities for learning and engaging with other people. Parents who intentionally design environments that promote positive behaviors (like sharing, volunteering, and practicing gratitude) help their kids internalize these values.

Autonomy granting and warm parenting

This refers to a parenting style that encourages children to be independent and make decisions. When this approach is combined with warmth, kids feel accepted and valued by their parents. They become more appreciative of their abilities and the efforts of other people.

Practical Strategies for Parents and Caregivers

Strengthening gratitude in children starts at home. If you want your child to develop a deeper sense of appreciation, consider these strategies:

Model gratitude

Kids are always paying attention even when we don’t notice it. For example, if a parent thanks a neighbor for helping them carry groceries, a child observing this interaction might later express gratitude when someone helps them at school.

Remember: Even small acts of kindness that seem “routine” to you can leave a lasting impression on them. They’ll learn to mirror the appreciation they see.

Start and end the day by thinking about things to be grateful for

Here’s how families can do this together: At the beginning of the day (during breakfast, for example) ask each family member to share one thing they are thankful for. It could be something as simple as being thankful for a sunny day or a warm meal.

During dinner or bedtime, families can reflect on their favorite moments. Questions like, “What made you happy today” or “What’s something nice that happened to you?” help kids wind down with positive thoughts.

If they have 10-15 minutes to spare, they can head outdoors for a gratitude walk!

Give them the freedom to make choices that promote kindness

Allow your child to decide how they want to help around the house (like setting the dinner table) or choose a way to show appreciation to someone (like writing a thank you note to a friend). This is how you can strengthen gratitude through autonomy-granting.

The researchers also noted that experiencing gratitude can make people more capable of handling challenges. It also helps people see new experiences in a more positive way.

For additional mental health resources, visit the Mental Health Center Kids’ Worksheet Collection.