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

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.

KEYWORDS:

• Gratitude
• life satisfaction
• spirituality
• well-being

Acknowledgments

The authors deeply appreciate the providence of the Almighty in everything, for without Him, this project would have not been possible. Likewise, they feel loved by the support of their families. They also appreciate the help and enthusiasm of those people who were made instruments by God to finish this project.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Jeannie A. Perez

Jeannie A. Perez, Ph.D. is a part-time faculty at the College of Liberal Arts-Graduate Studies, De La Salle University-Dasmarinas. Her research interests include spirituality, positive psychology, marriage and family, gardening, homeschooling, Christian belief and practice. She teaches courses in experimental psychology, research, and statistics.

Consuelo O. Peralta

Consuelo O. Peralta, Ph.D. is a full-time faculty member at the Psychology Department of the College of Liberal Arts and Communication since 1993. She obtained her Doctorate Degree in Philosophy Major in Counseling Psychology from this university while her Master’s Degree in Guidance and Counseling was completed from De La Salle University-Manila. She also finished a post-baccalaureate degree in Special Education at the University of Perpetual Help, Binan, Laguna. She is a licenced guidance counsellor, psychometrician, and teacher.

Federico B. Besa

Federico B. Besa Jr., Ph.D. has been a faculty member of De La Salle University-Dasmarinas for more than twenty-five years now. He earned his Master of Arts in Educational Management at De La Salle University-Dasmarinas and his PhD in Philosophy at De La Salle University-Manila. His research interests lie primarily in the area of ethics and Filipino philosophy.