Janet Fernandes e de Souza
St. Xavier’s College, Goa
Happiness is one of the key aspects of human existence. In the pursuit of happiness, gratitude and forgiveness can be explored as potential psychological strengths. The present study aims to explore the relationship among gratitude, forgiveness, and happiness, identify gender differences and determine gratitude and forgiveness as predictors of happiness. The sample for the study consists of 200 undergraduate college students in the age range of 18-22 years (94 males and 106 females) selected through quota sampling. The Gratitude Questionnaire, Heartland Forgiveness Scale and Oxford Happiness Questionnaire were used to collect data. The survey method was used with a quantitative analysis to obtain results. The results show significant and positive correlations between gratitude & happiness (r = 0.55, p<0.01), between gratitude & forgiveness (r = 0.37, p<0.01) and between forgiveness and happiness (r = 0.49, p<0.01). Both gratitude and forgiveness are significant predictors of happiness, explaining 39.6% of the variance (Adjusted R2 = 0.396) in happiness, with gratitude and forgiveness ((β = 0.430 p= 0.00) to levels of happiness as compared to forgiveness ((β = 0.334 p=0.00). The t-test value reveals a statistically significant difference as a function of gender on the construct of gratitude (t = 2.193, df 198, p< 0,05) but gender differences on forgiveness and happiness are not significant. The study provides important implications to India as a collectivistic culture to capitalize on the psychological strengths of gratitude and forgiveness for social harmony, individual happiness, and healing relationships