Gratitude and life satisfaction: the mediating role of spirituality among Filipinos

Abstract

ABSTRACT This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the relationships between gratitude and life satisfaction; gratitude and spirituality; spirituality and life satisfaction, and the mediating role of spirituality between gratitude and life satisfaction. We utilised the Gratitude Questionnaire (GQ-6), Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), and Daily Spiritual Experience Scale as measures. The study enjoined 415 participants whose age was 13 to 28 years old from the Philippines; more than the majority were Roman Catholics and from Christian denominations. Positive relationships were revealed between gratitude and life satisfaction, between gratitude and spirituality, and between spirituality and life satisfaction. Spirituality was also evidenced to mediate the relationship between gratitude and life satisfaction. Gratitude positively affects spirituality which in turn positively affects life satisfaction. The results provided clarity to the mechanism of the relationship between gratitude and life satisfaction. The present study also supported the transcendental view of gratitude. It also provided empirical evidence to the relationship of the variables in the Philippine context. Counselling implications for the improvement of life satisfaction were also offered.