Social Sciences and Humanities Open (Jan 2025)
The relationship between gratitude and life satisfaction: The mediating effect of mental well-being
Abstract
Mental well-being has been a topic of concern in recent years. It is often assessed by measuring an individual's life satisfaction and mental health. However, gratitude also plays a vital role in a person's well-being. A noticeable reduction in students' mental well-being is characterized by increasing levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. Academic expectations and peer pressure about prospects badly affected students' mental and emotional well-being. To address these concerns, this study provides empirically supported insights and pragmatic suggestions for educators, counselors, and policymakers. The study used a cross-sectional survey, and participants were contacted through several online platforms for data collection. The findings revealed a positive and significant relationship between gratitude and life satisfaction. Gratitude further acts as a predictor of mental well-being, thus resulting in higher life satisfaction with the mediation of mental well-being.