HOW DOES GRATITUDE RELATE TO HAPPINESS IN MALAYSIAN YOUNG ADULTS? THE MEDIATING ROLE OF RESILIENCE AND IMPLICATIONS FOR SOCIAL POLICY

Abstract

While a considerable body of evidence suggests a positive, direct relationship between gratitude, happiness, and resilience, the indirect effects through mediating variables remain unexplored in the literature. This study investigates how gratitude relates to happiness through resilience, using the cognitive model of the broaden-and-build theory as our framework. A total of 134 young Malaysian adults aged between 18-27 years completed an online survey, providing data on self-reported subjective happiness, gratitude, and resilience, and their demographics. Results show that while both gratitude and resilience are significant predictors of happiness, resilience is a stronger predictor and mediates the relationship between gratitude and happiness. These results suggest that gratitude and resilience are essential and influential factors of happiness among the participants. It implies that grateful young adults may enhance their happiness by building resilience. Therefore, programs and interventions that consist of the elements of gratitude enhancement and resilience-building can contribute to happiness among young people, in tandem with the Malaysian Youth Policy provision and societal well-being indices.