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Satisfied with Life? The Protective Function of Life Satisfaction in the Relationship between Perceived Stress and Negative Mental Health Outcomes

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Listed:
  • Anita Padmanabhanunni

    (Department of Psychology, University of the Western Cape, Bellville 7530, South Africa)

  • Tyrone B. Pretorius

    (Department of Psychology, University of the Western Cape, Bellville 7530, South Africa)

  • Serena Ann Isaacs

    (Department of Psychology, University of the Western Cape, Bellville 7530, South Africa)

Abstract

Life satisfaction is a key index of well-being, yet few studies have examined its role as a protective factor in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The current study expands the research in this area through an examination of the role of life satisfaction in the relationship between perceived stress and negative indices of mental health. Participants were university students (N = 322) who completed the Perceived Stress Scale, the Satisfaction with Life Scale, and short forms of the trait scale of the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, the Center for Epidemiological Depression Scale, and the Beck Hopelessness Scale. The results indicate that life satisfaction had a health-sustaining effect on indices of well-being. It also moderated the relationship between perceived stress, on the one hand, and anxiety and hopelessness, on the other hand. Further, life satisfaction played a partial mediating role in the relationship between perceived stress and indices of mental health. The findings suggest that life satisfaction could be a protective factor in the context of stressful life events. Cultivating life satisfaction through mindfulness training and the enhancement of gratitude could potentially sustain mental health.

Suggested Citation

  • Anita Padmanabhanunni & Tyrone B. Pretorius & Serena Ann Isaacs, 2023. "Satisfied with Life? The Protective Function of Life Satisfaction in the Relationship between Perceived Stress and Negative Mental Health Outcomes," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(18), pages 1-11, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:18:p:6777-:d:1242076
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Osman M. Karatepe & Mehmet Bahri Saydam & Fevzi Okumus, 2021. "COVID-19, mental health problems, and their detrimental effects on hotel employees’ propensity to be late for work, absenteeism, and life satisfaction," Current Issues in Tourism, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 24(7), pages 934-951, April.
    2. Tyrone B. Pretorius & Anita Padmanabhanunni, 2023. "Anxiety in Brief: Assessment of the Five-Item Trait Scale of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory in South Africa," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(9), pages 1-12, May.
    3. Anita Padmanabhanunni & Tyrone Pretorius, 2021. "The Loneliness–Life Satisfaction Relationship: The Parallel and Serial Mediating Role of Hopelessness, Depression and Ego-Resilience among Young Adults in South Africa during COVID-19," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(7), pages 1-10, March.
    4. Caterina Schug & Eva Morawa & Franziska Geiser & Nina Hiebel & Petra Beschoner & Lucia Jerg-Bretzke & Christian Albus & Kerstin Weidner & Susann Steudte-Schmiedgen & Andrea Borho & Marietta Lieb & Yes, 2021. "Social Support and Optimism as Protective Factors for Mental Health among 7765 Healthcare Workers in Germany during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Results of the VOICE Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(7), pages 1-18, April.
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