The Mediating Role of Gratitude Between Social Connectedness and Life Satisfaction

Abstract

Individuals evaluate their lives from various perspectives and achieve a certain level of satisfaction. These life evaluations can also occur in social and emotional contexts. Two concepts that can support life satisfaction in social and emotional terms are social connectedness and gratitude. Social connectedness is a reflection of the need to belong, while gratitude is defined as a sub-dimension of transcendence. Therefore, the current study aimed to examine the mediating role of gratitude between social connectedness and life satisfaction. A total of 432 adult participants, 318 female and 114 male, volunteered to participate in the study. A mediation analysis was conducted in this study using structural equation modeling (SEM). The findings indicate that gratitude partially mediates the relationship between social connectedness and life satisfaction. Therefore, it was concluded that life satisfaction is predicted both directly by social connectedness and indirectly through gratitude. Social connectedness stimulates feelings of gratitude, which in turn helps individuals develop a more positive attitude toward life. This result emphasizes that the interaction between social relationships and emotional experiences plays a key role in an individual's overall life evaluation.

Keywords

• Social Connectedness
• Gratitude
• Life Satisfaction.

Project Number

14722

Sosyal Bağlılık ile Yaşam Doyumu Arasında Minnettarlığın Aracı Rolü

Abstract

Bireyleri yaşamlarını çeşitli yönlerden değerlendirip belirli bir düzeyde doyum sağlamaktadırlar. Yaşama yönelik yapılan bu değerlendirmelerin sosyal ve duygusal bağlamda da gerçekleşmesi mümkündür. Sosyal ve duygusal anlamda yaşam doyumunu destekleyebilecek iki kavram sosyal bağlılık ve minnettarlıktır. Sosyal bağlılık ait olma ihtiyacının bir yansımasıdır. Minnettarlık ise aşkınlığın alt boyutu olarak tanımlanmaktadır. Buradan hareketle mevcut araştırmada sosyal bağlılık ve yaşam doyumu arasında minnettarlığın aracı rolünü incelemek amaçlanmıştır. Araştırmaya 318 kadın ve 114 erkek olacak şekilde toplam 432 yetişkin katılımcı gönüllü olarak dahil olmuştur. Bu araştırmada aracılık analizi yapısal eşitlik modellemesi (YEM) kullanılarak gerçekleştirilmiştir. Elde edilen bulgularda sosyal bağlılık ile yaşam doyumu arasında minnettarlığın kısmi aracı rolü olduğu yer almaktadır. Dolayısıyla yaşam doyumunun sosyal bağlılık tarafından hem doğrudan hem de minnettarlık üzerinden dolaylı olarak yordandığı sonucuna ulaşılmıştır. Sosyal bağlılığın bireyin minnet duygularını harekete geçirmesi ve bu duyguların bireyin yaşamına karşı daha olumlu bir tutum geliştirmesine yardımcı olması söz konusudur. Elde edilen bu sonuç sosyal ilişkiler ve duygusal deneyimler arasındaki etkileşimin bireyin genel yaşam değerlendirmesi üzerinde kilit bir rol oynadığını vurgulamaktadır.

Keywords

• Sosyal Bağlılık
• Minnettarlık
• Yaşam Doyumu.

Supporting Institution

Erciyes Üniversitesi

Project Number

14722

Thanks

Bu çalışma Erciyes Üniversitesi Bilimsel Araştırma Projeleri Birimi tarafında desteklenen 14722 proje ID ve SLO-2025-14722 kodlu projenin çıktısıdır. Verdikleri tüm destekler için Erciyes Üniversitesi ve Erciyes Üniversitesi Bilimsel Araştırma Projeleri Birimine çok teşekkür ederiz.

References

1. Akaike, H. (1987). Factor analysis and AIC. Psychometrika, 52(3), 317-332.
2. Alanoğlu, M., & Karabatak, S. (2021). Eğitimde yapay zekâ, Eğitim Araştırmaları Eğitim Dergisi, 175-186.
3. Ambrey, C., Ulichny, J., & Fleming, C. (2017). The social connectedness and life satisfaction nexus: A panel data analysis of women in Australia. Feminist Economics, 23(2), 1-32. https://doi.org/10.1080/13545701.2016.1222077
4. Arslan, G. (2018). Psychological maltreatment, social acceptance, social connectedness, and subjective well-being in adolescents. Journal of Happiness Studies, 19, 983-1001. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-017-9856-z
5. Avcı, M. (2023). Belongingness, social connectedness, and life satisfaction in college students after COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Happiness and Health, 3(2), 23-36. https://doi.org/10.47602/johah.v3i2.43
6. Alkış, N. (2016). Bayes Yapısal Eşitlik Modellemesi: Kavramlar ve Genel Bakış, Gazi İktisat ve İşletme Dergisi, 2(3),105-116.
7. Bayram, N. (2010). Yapısal eşitlik modellemesine giriş amos uygulamaları. Ezgi Kitabevi. Bartlett, M. Y., Valdesolo, P., & Arpin, S. N. (2020). The paradox of power: The relationship between self-esteem and gratitude. The Journal of Social Psychology, 160(1), 27-38. https://doi.org/10.1080/00224545.2019.1601609
8. Baumeister, R. F., & Leary, M. R. (1995). The need to belong: Desire for interpersonal attachments as a fundamental human motivation. Psychological Bulletin, 117(3), 497-529.

9. Browne, M. W., & Cudeck, R. (1993) Alternative ways of assessing model fit. Sage Focus Editions, 154, 136-136. https://doi.org/10.1177/0049124192021002005
10. Caputo, A. (2015). The relationship between gratitude and loneliness: The potential benefits of gratitude for promoting social bonds. Europe's Journal of Psychology, 11(2), 323-334. https://doi.org/10.5964/ejop.v11i2.826
11. Chang, L. C., Dattilo, J., Hsieh, P. C., & Huang, F. H. (2023). Gratitude mediates the relationship between leisure social support and loneliness among first-year university students during the COVID-19 pandemic in Taiwan. Journal of Leisure Research, 1-20. https://doi.org/10.1080/00222216.2023.2215774
12. Chauhan, A. S., Mathur, G., Gulati, C., & Sharma, A. (2025). The relationship between gratitude and life satisfaction: The mediating effect of mental well-being. Social Sciences & Humanities Open, 11, 101224. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssaho.2024.101224
13. Cheung, R. Y., & Lau, E. N. S. (2021). Is mindfulness linked to life satisfaction? Testing savoring positive experiences and gratitude as mediators. Frontiers in psychology, 12, 591103. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.591103
14. Dağlı, A., & Baysal, N. (2016). Adaptation of the satisfaction with life scale into Turkish: The study of validity and reliability. Electronic Journal of Social Sciences, 15(59), 1250-1262. https://doi.org/10.17755/esosder.75955
15. Datu, J. A. D., & Yuen, M. (2020). Students’ connectedness is linked to higher gratitude and self-efficacy outcomes. Children and Youth Services Review, 116, 105210. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2020.105210
16. Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (2000). The" what" and" why" of goal pursuits: Human needs and the self-determination of behavior. Psychological Inquiry, 11(4), 227-268. https://doi.org/10.1207/S15327965PLI1104_01
17. Diener, E. (1984). Subjective well-being. Psychological Bulletin, 95(3), 542–575. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.95.3.542
18. Diener, E. D., Emmons, R. A., Larsen, R. J., & Griffin, S. (1985). The satisfaction with life scale. Journal of Personality Assessment, 49(1), 71-75. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327752jpa4901_13
19. Duru, E. (2007). Sosyal Bağlılık Ölçeği'nin Türk kültürüne uyarlanması. Eurasian Journal of Educational Research (EJER), 26, 85-94.
20. Ehrhardt, J. J., Saris, W. E., & Veenhoven, R. (2000). Stability of life-satisfaction over time. Journal of Happiness Studies, 1(2), 177-205. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1010084410679
21. Emmons, R. A., & McCullough, M. E. (2003). Counting blessings versus burdens: an experimental investigation of gratitude and subjective well-being in daily life. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 84(2), 377-389. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.84.2.377
22. Finney, S. J., & DiStefano, C. (2006). Nonnormal and categorical data in structural equation models. In G. R. Hancock & R. O. Mueller (Eds.), A second course in structural equation modeling (pp. 269–314). Information Age.
23. Fitroh, N., & Mansoer, W. W. D. (2024). Gratitude, perceived social support, and students' resilience during distance learning due to COVID-19. Jurnal Psikologi Ulayat, 11(1), 24-38. https://doi.org/10.24854/jpu629
24. Fredrickson, B. L. (2004). Gratitude, Like Other Positive Emotions, Broadens and Builds. In R. A. Emmons & M. E. McCullough (Eds.), The psychology of gratitude (pp. 145–166). Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195150100.003.0008
25. Gungor, A., Young, M. E., & Sivo, S. A. (2021). Negative Life Events and Psychological Distress and Life Satisfaction in US College Students: The Moderating Effects of Optimism, Hope, and Gratitude. Journal of Pedagogical Research, 5(4), 62-75. https://dx.doi.org/10.33902/JPR.2021472963
26. Haslam, C., Cruwys, T., Haslam, S. A., & Jetten, J. (2015). Social connectedness and health. Encyclopedia of Geropsychology, 46(1), 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-287-080-3_46-1
27. Helliwell, J. F., & Putnam, R. D. (2004). The social context of well–being. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B: Biological Sciences, 359(1449), 1435-1446. https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2004.1522
28. Hu, L. T., & Bentler, P. M. (1999). Cutoff criteria for fit indexes in covariance structure analysis: Conventional criteria versus new alternatives. Structural Equation Modeling, 6(1), 1–55. https://doi.org/10.1080 /10705519909540118.
29. Ke, Y., Zhang, T., Xu, J., & Chai, X. (2023). How social connectedness contributes to life satisfaction among Chinese nurses: Testing potential moderated mediation pathways. International Nursing Review, 70(3), 315-321. https://doi.org/10.1111/inr.12845
30. Kerry, N., Chhabra, R., & Clifton, J. D. W. (2023). Being Thankful for What You Have: A Systematic Review of Evidence for the Effect of Gratitude on Life Satisfaction. Psychology research and behavior management, 16, 4799–4816. https://doi.org/10.2147/PRBM.S372432
31. Khatiwada, J., Muzembo, B. A., Wada, K., & Ikeda, S. (2021). The effect of perceived social support on psychological distress and life satisfaction among Nepalese migrants in Japan. Plos one, 16(2), e0246271. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0246271
32. Kline, R. B. (2011). Principles and practice of structural equation modeling. The Guilford Press
33. Kong, F., Yang, K., Yan, W., & Li, X. (2021). How does trait gratitude relate to subjective well-being in Chinese adolescents? The mediating role of resilience and social support. Journal of Happiness Studies, 22, 1611-1622. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-020-00286-w
34. Lee, R. M., & Robbins, S. B. (1995). Measuring belongingness: The social connectedness and the social assurance scales. Journal of counseling psychology, 42(2), 232. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-0167.42.2.232
35. Lee, R. M., & Robbins, S. B. (2000). Understanding social connectedness in college women and men. Journal of Counseling & Development, 78(4), 484-491. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.1556-6676.2000.tb01932.x
36. Lee, R. M., Draper, M., & Lee, S. (2001). Social connectedness, dysfunctional interpersonal behaviors, and psychological distress: Testing a mediator model. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 48(3), 310-318. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-0167.48.3.310
37. Liao, K. Y. H., & Weng, C. Y. (2018). Gratefulness and subjective well-being: Social connectedness and presence of meaning as mediators. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 65(3), 383-393. https://doi.org/10.1037/cou0000271
38. Lyubomirsky, S., King, L., & Diener, E. (2005). The benefits of frequent positive affect: Does happiness lead to success?, Psychological Bulletin, 131(6), 803-855. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.131.6.803
39. Mahanta, D., & Aggarwal, M. (2013). Effect of perceived social support on life satisfaction of university students. European Academic Research, 1(6), 1083-1094.
40. Margolis, S., Schwitzgebel, E., Ozer, D. J., & Lyubomirsky, S. (2019). A new measure of life satisfaction: The Riverside Life Satisfaction Scale. Journal of personality assessment, 101(6), 621-630. https://doi.org/10.1080/00223891.2018.1464457
41. McCullough, M. E., Emmons, R. A., & Tsang, J. A. (2002). The grateful disposition: a conceptual and empirical topography. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 82(1), 112-127. https://doi.org/10.1037//0022-3514.82.1.112
42. McCullough, M. E., Kilpatrick, S. D., Emmons, R. A., & Larson, D. B. (2001). Is gratitude a moral affect?, Psychological Bulletin, 127(2), 249-266. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.127.2.249
43. McCullough, M. E., Kimeldorf, M. B., & Cohen, A. D. (2008). An adaptation for altruism: The social causes, social effects, and social evolution of gratitude. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 17(4), 281-285. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8721.2008.00590.x
44. Nasser-Abu Alhija, F., & Wisenbaker, J. (2006). A Monte Carlo study investigating the impact of item parceling strategies on parameter estimates and their standard errors in CFA. Structural Equation Modeling, 13(2), 204-228. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15328007sem1302_3
45. O'Connell, B. H., O'Shea, D., & Gallagher, S. (2016). Mediating effects of loneliness on the gratitude-health link. Personality and Individual Differences, 98, 179-183. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2016.04.042
46. Perez, J. A., Peralta, C. O., & Besa, F. B. (2021). Gratitude and life satisfaction: the mediating role of spirituality among Filipinos. Journal of Beliefs & Values, 42(4), 511-522. https://doi.org/10.1080/13617672.2021.1877031
47. Preacher, K. J., & Hayes, A. F. (2008). Asymptotic and resampling strategies for assessing and comparing indirect effects in multiple mediator models. Behavior Research Methods, 40(3), 879-891. https://doi.org/10.3758/BRM.40.3.879
48. Robustelli, B. L., & Whisman, M. A. (2018). Gratitude and life satisfaction in the United States and Japan. Journal of Happiness Studies, 19, 41-55. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-016-9802-5
49. Rustamov, E., Musayeva, T., Xalilova, X., Ismayilova, G., & Nahmatova, U. (2023). Exploring the relationship between social connectedness and mental wellbeing: the mediating role of psychological resilience among adults in Azerbaijan. Discover Psychology, 3(15). https://doi.org/10.1007/s44202-023-00080-8
50. Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2000). Self-determination theory and the facilitation of intrinsic motivation, social development, and well-being. American Psychologist, 55(1), 68-78. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.55.1.68
51. Samadieh, H., & Tanhaye Reshvanloo, F. (2023). The relationship between sense of belonging and life satisfaction among university students: The mediating role of social isolation and psychological distress. Iranian Journal of Educational Sociology, 6(3), 11-24. https://doi.org/10.61186/ijes.6.3.11
52. Santini, Z. I., Koyanagi, A., Tyrovolas, S., Mason, C., & Haro, J. M. (2015). The association between social relationships and depression: A systematic review. Journal of Affective Disorders, 175, 53-65. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2014.12.049
53. Tabachnick, B. G., & Fidell, L. S. (2001). Using multivariate statistics (4th. ed.). Pearson Education.
54. Teoh, S. L., Letchumanan, V., & Lee, L. H. (2021). Can mindfulness help to alleviate loneliness? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 633319. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.633319
55. Veenhoven, R. (1996). The study of life satisfaction. In W. E. Saris, R. Veenhoven, A. C. Scherpenzeel, & B. Bunting (Eds.), A comparative study of satisfaction with life in Europe (pp. 11-48). Eötvös University Press.
56. Wang, Q., Sun, W., & Wu, H. (2022). Associations between academic burnout, resilience and life satisfaction among medical students: a three-wave longitudinal study. BMC Medical Education, 22(1), 248-259. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-022-03326-6
57. Weziak-Bialowolska, D., Bialowolski, P., Lee, M. T., Chen, Y., VanderWeele, T. J., & McNeely, E. (2022). Prospective associations between social connectedness and mental health. Evidence from a longitudinal survey and health insurance claims data. International Journal of Public Health, 67, 1604710. https://doi.org/10.3389/ijph.2022.1604710
58. Wickramaratne, P. J., Yangchen, T., Lepow, L., Patra, B. G., Glicksburg, B., Talati, A., Adekkanattu, P., Ryu, E., Biernacka, J. M., Charney, A., Mann, J. J., Pathak, J., Olfson, M. & Weissman, M. M. (2022). Social connectedness as a determinant of mental health: A scoping review. PloS one, 17(10), e0275004. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0275004
59. Yıldırım, M., & Alanazi, Z. S. (2018). Gratitude and life satisfaction: Mediating role of perceived stress. International Journal of Psychological Studies, 10(3), 21-28. https://doi.org/10.5539/ijps.v10n3p21
60. You, S., Lee, J., & Lee, Y. (2022). Relationships between gratitude, social support, and prosocial and problem behaviors. Current Psychology, 41(5), 2646-2653. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-020-00775-4
61. Yüksel, A., & Oğuz Duran, N. (2012). Minnettarlık Ölçeği'nin yetişkinlere uyarlanması: Geçerlik ve güvenirlik çalışmaları. Çağdaş Eğitim Dergisi Akademik, 1(1), 31-40.
62. Zhou, X., & Wu, X. (2016). Understanding the roles of gratitude and social support in posttraumatic growth among adolescents after Ya'an earthquake: A longitudinal study. Personality and Individual Differences, 101, 4-8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2016.05.033