Beyond happiness and meaning: a bi-factor model of gratitude in predicting psychological richness among young adults

Gratitude is widely recognized for its positive association with hedonic and eudaimonic well-being. However, its relationship with psychological richness – the third pillar of the good life – remains underexplored. This study used a bi-factor model to distinguish the general gratitude factor from specific cognitive and affective factors in predicting psychological richness. Study 1 (N = 304) utilized a cross-sectional approach and revealed that only the general gratitude factor, but not specific factors, significantly predicted psychological richness. Study 2 (N = 237) confirmed this finding using a two-wave short-term longitudinal design, showing the effect remained robust after controlling for baseline hedonic and eudaimonic well-being. These findings provide the first empirical evidence for a specific association between general gratitude and psychological richness. By providing a more nuanced perspective, this work offers a novel direction for interventions aimed at cultivating well-being beyond traditional definitions of happiness and meaning.