The integrated model of emotional gratitude and emotional indebtedness in receiving help

Abstract

When receiving help, the beneficiary feels both emotional gratitude and emotional indebtedness towards the benefactor, highlighting the close relationship between the two feelings. In this study, we tried to create a single integrated model of emotional gratitude and emotional indebtedness. Additionally, based on our model, we tested the effects of emotional gratitude and emotional indebtedness on the intention of reciprocal behavior towards the benefactor. All participants (N = 330) were asked to answer questions after reading vignettes describing a situation in which they received help. As a result of the analysis, we were able to propose a new model in which benefit appraisal mediates the relationship between trait gratitude and emotional gratitude, as well as the relationship between trait indebtedness and emotional indebtedness. We also demonstrated that emotional gratitude and emotional indebtedness affected the intention of reciprocal behavior towards the benefactor; however, their interaction effect was not significant.