Moderating Effect of Well-Being and Gratitude on the Relationships between Negative Metacognitive Beliefs and Generalized Anxiety/Depressive Symptoms

Abstract

In this study, we examined the moderating effect of well-being and gratitude on the relationships between negative meta-cognitive beliefs as diathesis and generalized anxiety/depressive symptoms. The participants included 173 undergraduate students. According to the results of hierarchical multiple regression, well-being significantly buffered the relationships between negative meta-cognitive beliefs and generalized anxiety symptoms/depressive symptoms; on the other hand, gratitude did not significantly buffer the relationships. The Japanese have potentially negative interpersonal relationships due to being less willing to seek social support from those they are close to. Therefore, when they feel gratitude, indebtedness also occurs along with it. In this study, such findings suggest that because gratitude and indebtedness coexist, gratitude is not a buffering factor in Japan. To conclude, we suggest that the effect of intervention using improved well-being to buffer the relationships between negative metacognitive beliefs and generalized anxiety/depressive symptoms can be effective in Japan, while increased gratitude cannot be expected to buffer the relationships.