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The Relationships Among Gratitude, Self-esteem, Social Support and Life Satisfaction Among Undergraduate Students

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  • Feng Kong
  • Ke Ding
  • Jingjing Zhao

Abstract

Gratitude is a positive psychological characteristic that is connected to well-being. The aim of this study is to examine the effects of both social support and self-esteem in the association between gratitude and life satisfaction among undergraduate students. Four hundred and twenty-seven Chinese undergraduate participants were asked to complete the Gratitude Questionnaire, the Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale, the Multi-Dimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support and the Satisfaction with Life Scale. Path analysis indicated that social support acted as a full mediator of the association between gratitude and life satisfaction. The identified model also revealed a significant path from gratitude through social support and self-esteem to life satisfaction. Furthermore, a multi-group analysis indicated that males with high gratitude scores are more likely to get greater social support than females, while females with high social support scores tended to report greater life satisfaction than males. The present findings provide valuable guidance for how to implement psychological interventions aimed at enhancing undergraduates’ well-being. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2015

Suggested Citation

  • Feng Kong & Ke Ding & Jingjing Zhao, 2015. "The Relationships Among Gratitude, Self-esteem, Social Support and Life Satisfaction Among Undergraduate Students," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 16(2), pages 477-489, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jhappi:v:16:y:2015:i:2:p:477-489
    DOI: 10.1007/s10902-014-9519-2
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Peizhen Sun & Feng Kong, 2013. "Affective Mediators of the Influence of Gratitude on Life Satisfaction in Late Adolescence," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 114(3), pages 1361-1369, December.
    2. Cheng, Sheung-Tak & Chan, Alfred C.M., 2006. "Social support and self-rated health revisited:: Is there a gender difference in later life?," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 63(1), pages 118-122, July.
    3. Lung Chen, 2013. "Gratitude and Adolescent Athletes’ Well-Being: The Multiple Mediating Roles of Perceived Social Support from Coaches and Teammates," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 114(2), pages 273-285, November.
    4. Lung Chen & Ying Kee, 2008. "Gratitude and Adolescent Athletes’ Well-Being," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 89(2), pages 361-373, November.
    5. Feng Kong & Xuqun You, 2013. "Loneliness and Self-Esteem as Mediators Between Social Support and Life Satisfaction in Late Adolescence," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 110(1), pages 271-279, January.
    6. Hirotugu Akaike, 1987. "Factor analysis and AIC," Psychometrika, Springer;The Psychometric Society, vol. 52(3), pages 317-332, September.
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