Mediating the Effect of Gratitude in the Relationship between Forgiveness and Life Satisfaction among University Students

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the mediating effect of gratitude in the relationship between forgiveness and life satisfaction. A convenience sample of 396 (234 (59%) females, 162 (41%) males) university students was recruited from a University in Denizli, Turkey. The participants’ ages ranged between 18 and 27 years, with an average of 20.90 years (SD = 1.60). Of the participants, 101 (26%) were freshman, 81 (21%) were sophomores, 114 (29%) were juniors, and 100 (25%) were seniors. The Gratitude Questionnaire, Heartland Forgiveness Scale and Satisfaction with Life Scale were used for the data collection. Results showed that gratitude partially mediated the relationship between forgiveness and life satisfaction. The results, limitations and implications of the study were discussed.