Relationships Between Horizontal Gratitude, Vertical Gratitude, Subjective Well-Being, and Spiritual Well-Being in the Sheltered Homeles

Gratitude and its relationship with well-being has been a recent topic of research. This relationship has been understudied in populations who have experienced extreme deprivation of their basic needs, such as the homeless. The purpose of this study was 1: to examine the relationship between gratitude, subjective well-being, and spiritual well-being as it is experienced by previously homeless individuals; 2: to determine whether persons who were once homeless and received assistance would attribute more of their gratitude to a spiritual source or to human kindness. A packet of self-report surveys measuring demographics, gratitude, and wellbeing, including a modified vertical gratitude questionnaire, was administered to 67 previously homeless males residing in a religious facility that sheltered the homeless. A strong negative relationship was found between horizontal gratitude and subjective well-being (r = -.439, p < .05). A positive relationship was found between horizontal gratitude and spiritual well-being (r = .306, p < .05). Both horizontal and vertical gratitude had a positive relationship with spiritual well-being. Vertical gratitude was found to have the strongest positive relationship with spiritual well-being (b = 13.39, t(2.97) = .005, p < .05). Both horizontal and vertical gratitude were found to have a negative relationship with subjective well-being. Horizontal gratitude was found to have the strongest negative relationship with subjective well-being (b = -7.91, t(-3.52) = .001, p < .05). In past studies, gratitude was found to have a strong, positive relationship with well-being. The results of this study indicated that the relationship between gratitude and well-being was differentially expressed in the sheltered homeless as opposed to other populations which have been studied. Residual effects of homelessness may make homeless populations less susceptible to the positive effects horizontal and vertical gratitude have on subjective well-being. Horizontal gratitude tends to behave incidentally as opposed to cumulatively. The effect of adaptation may prevent higher levels of horizontal gratitude from occurring in long-term vs. short-term situations. Vertical gratitude appears to be more present in the sheltered homeless than horizontal gratitude. Sheltered homeless individuals tend to attribute more gratitude to spiritual rather than human sources. Sheltered homeless turn to internal religious objects instead of external human benefactors to avoid the repeated experience of disappointment. Having basic needs met may provide a basis for increased spiritual and subjective well-being and increased vertical gratitude. Regular spiritual practice at the shelter facility may have helped to increase vertical gratitude and spiritual well-being. A dual approach of meeting basic needs and spiritual activity is suggested for treating homeless populations.