The Role of Gratitude in Resolving Family Conflict: A Study of Tasawuf and Positive Psychology

Najwan Nafi'ah Nafi'ah; Akhmad Rofii Damyati; Sadrul Eslam Tahiri

doi:10.30762/spiritualita.v10i1.4024

Authors

Najwan Nafi'ah Nafi'ah STAI Al Mujtama Pamekasan, Indonesia
Akhmad Rofii Damyati STAI Al Mujtama Pamekasan, Indonesia
Sadrul Eslam Tahiri Yalova Üniversitesi, Turkiye

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30762/spiritualita.v10i1.4024

Keywords:

Gratitude, Family Conflict, Emotional Regulation, Islamic Counseling, Family Resilience

Abstract

Family conflict is a prevalent phenomenon that, if unmanaged, can disrupt household harmony and diminish the emotional well-being of family members. While previous research has extensively examined communication, adaptive strategies, and forgiveness in resolving family conflict, gratitude has seldom been positioned as a psychological and spiritual resource within an Islamic counseling framework, alongside its related concepts in Islamic psychology, namely patience (sabar) and trust in God (tawakal). The present study conceptually examines the role of gratitude in resolving family conflict and explores its connections with emotional regulation, empathy, and family communication, situated within the frameworks of positive psychology and Islamic perspectives. Employing a qualitative library research (conceptual) design, this study analyzes a body of literature—including journal articles, books, theses, and Islamic textual sources—on gratitude, family conflict, family resilience, and Islamic counseling, primarily published within the last fifteen years and selected through a structured search and thematic analysis. Data were collected through documentation and analyzed thematically by grouping the literature into conceptual themes, which were subsequently synthesized into an integrative conceptual model. The findings indicate that gratitude serves as a psychological and spiritual resource that enhances emotional regulation, fosters empathy, and promotes open, solution-oriented communication among family members. Within Islam, this role is further reinforced by gratitude’s close association with patience, trust in God, and forgiveness. Consequently, gratitude-based interventions may be integrated into Islamic family counseling practice, while also recognizing practical barriers that may impede their implementation.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Afandi, N. K., Subandi, & Ilyas, H. (2021). Psikologi kebersyukuran. Depok: PT RajaGrafindo Persada.

Argasiam, B. (2024). Psikologi keluarga: Memahami hubungan, peran, dan kehidupan. Pacitan: Unakipress Publisher.

Arslan, G., & Allen, K. A. (2022). Exploring the association between gratitude, psychological well-being, and resilience. Current Psychology, 41(8), 5295–5305.

Astuti, L., & Bashori, B. (2025). Kajian semantik tawakkal dalam Al-Qur'an: Relevansinya terhadap konsep coping dan psikologi resiliensi. Fathir: Jurnal Studi Islam, 2(2), 308–323.

Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101.

Ceriasari, R. P. (2022). Peran belas kasih diri dan kebersyukuran terhadap kesejahteraan subjektif pada remaja dengan orang tua bercerai di Yogyakarta (Skripsi tidak diterbitkan). UIN Sunan Kalijaga, Yogyakarta.

Emmons, R. A., & McCullough, M. E. (Eds.). (2004). The psychology of gratitude. New York: Oxford University Press.

Emmons, R. A., & Mishra, A. (2024). Gratitude and well-being: New perspectives from positive psychology.

Enright, R. D. (2002). Forgiveness is a choice: A step-by-step process for resolving anger and restoring hope. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

Ginartha, N., & Setiawan, J. L. (2022). Peran resolusi konflik dan pemaafan terhadap kepuasan pernikahan pada pernikahan awal. Jurnal Konseling Andi Matappa.

Lambert, N. M., Fincham, F. D., & Stillman, T. F. (2022). Gratitude and relationship satisfaction: The mediating role of communication quality. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 39(4), 1012–1028.

Lestari, Y. I. (2021). Kebersyukuran mampu meningkatkan subjective well-being pada remaja muslim. Jurnal Psikologi, 17(1), 40–41.

Purnamasari, I. A. (2019). Layanan bimbingan konseling keluarga untuk meminimalisasi angka perceraian. Irsyad: Jurnal Bimbingan, Penyuluhan, Konseling, dan Psikoterapi Islam, 7(1), 41–60.

Seligman, M. E. P. (t.t.). Positive psychology and human flourishing. New York: Routledge.

Subandi. (2011). Sabar: Sebuah konsep psikologi. Jurnal Psikologi, 38(2), 215–227.

Sunarti, E., Rizkillah, R., Hakim, F. A., Zakiya, N., & Damayanti, R. (2021). Manajemen sumber daya keluarga, konflik kerja keluarga, dan tugas keluarga. Jurnal Ilmu Keluarga dan Konsumen, 14(1), 1–13.

Syobah, S. N. (2023). Keefektifan komunikasi interpersonal dalam menyelesaikan konflik suami istri. Jurnal Ilmu Komunikasi, 7(1).

Tabroni, I. (2022). Model dan strategi manajemen konflik dalam rumah tangga. Purbalingga: CV Eureka Media Aksara.

Tendean, J. J., Sinaga, J., Nainggolan, S., & Sinanbela, J. L. (2023). Strategi adaptif dalam meredakan konflik keluarga. Jurnal Ilmiah Multidisiplin Indonesia, 1(2).

Urrozi, K. N., & Damayati, A. R. (2024). Resolusi konflik keluarga dengan pendekatan NVC dan tasawuf. Jurnal Ushuluddin dan Ilmu-Ilmu Keislaman, 10(1).

Walsh, F. (2003). Family resilience: Strengths forged through adversity. In F. Walsh (Ed.), Normal family processes (pp. 399–421). New York: The Guilford Press.

Wood, A. M., Froh, J. J., & Geraghty, A. W. A. (2022). Gratitude and well-being: A review and theoretical integration. Clinical Psychology Review, 92, 102125.