Does Expressed Gratitude Enhance a Benefactor's State Self-Esteem in Japan?

Abstract

Literature indicates expressed gratitude helps benefactors who receive it feel positive about themselves, but there is little research examining if expressed gratitude enhances a benefactor's state self-esteem. Two experiments (college students: n = 139 / workers: n = 499) designed to examine the possibility were conducted in Japan. The results revealed that a message with both gratitude and apologies enhanced the participants' social worth. Contrary to the expectation, expressed gratitude did not have an effect on state self-esteem. Moreover, among workers, expressed gratitude unexpectedly decreased self-esteem feelings. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed in relation to unique cultural values in Japan.