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

Journal: International journal of environmental research and public health

Volume: 20

Issue: 18

Year of Publication: 

Affiliated Institutions:  Department of Psychology, University of the Western Cape, Bellville , South Africa.

Abstract summary 

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.

Authors & Co-authors:  Padmanabhanunni Anita A Pretorius Tyrone B TB Isaacs Serena Ann SA

Study Outcome 

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Statistics
Citations :  Maddux J.E. Subjective Well-Being and Life Satisfaction: An Introduction to Conceptions, Theories, and Measures. Routledge/Taylor & Francis Group; Abingdon, UK: 2018.
Authors :  3
Identifiers
Doi : 6777
SSN : 1660-4601
Study Population
Male,Female
Mesh Terms
Other Terms
anxiety;depression;hopelessness;life satisfaction;mediation;moderation;protective factors
Study Design
Cross Sectional Study
Study Approach
Country of Study
Publication Country
Switzerland