Research Behind Bag of Joy

A selection of academic studies exploring the connection between giving, gratitude, and joy.

These studies helped shape the ideas behind Bag of Joy and how we think about giving, reflection, and connection. They are shared here as inspiration, not requirements.

Watkins, P. C., McLaughlin, T., Parker, J., & Williamson, L. (2019).
Gratitude and the Science of Joy. The Journal of Positive Psychology.

Link: https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2019.1685582

Ribar, D. C., & Wilhelm, M. O. (1995). Altruistic and Joy-of-Giving Motivations in Charitable Behavior. The Journal of Political Economy, 103(3), 425–457.

Link: https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/338750

Weiss-Sidi, I., & Riemer, H. (2023). Help Others—Be Happy? The Effect of Altruistic Behavior on Happiness Across Cultures. Frontiers in Psychology, 14.

Link: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1156661/full

Rhoads, S. E., & Marsh, H. (2023). Doing Good and Feeling Good: Relationships Between Altruism and Well-Being for Altruists, Beneficiaries, and Observers. World Happiness Report.

Link: https://worldhappiness.report/ed/2023/doing-good-and-feeling-good-relationships-between-altruism-and-well-being-for-altruists-beneficiaries-and-observers/

Post, S. G. (2005). Altruism, Happiness, and Health: It’s Good to Be Good. International Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 12(2), 66–77.
Link: https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327558ijbm1202_4