Belonging to strong social ties is a fundamental need, and securing strong
and supportive relationships early on can provide the bedrock for many positive
outcomes in human development. Experiencing and expressing gratitude is one
way for youths (and adults) to boost their mood, strengthen their social ties, and
cultivate a sense of purposeful engagement with the world. Though having such
experiences are critical for healthy youth development, research on gratitude in
youth or the development of gratitude is only now emerging.