School Kindness as a Bridge between Gratitude and Subjective Happiness

Abstract

Aim: The present study focuses on determining the mediating role of school kindness in the relationship between gratitude and subjective happiness. Methods: A sample of 150 male and 150 female school students (N = 300) was selected through the quota sampling technique. Three standardized self-report measures, namely, the Gratitude Questionnaire-6 Six Item Form (GQ-6), the School Kindness Scale and the Subjective Happiness Scale, were administered for the collection of data. For analysis of the data, Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient and SPSS-Hayes’ macro PROCESS v4.2, Model 4, were used. Results: According to correlation analysis, there is a significant and positive association between school kindness and gratitude (r = 0.234, p < 0.01) as well as gratitude and subjective happiness (r = 0.230, p < 0.01). School kindness and happiness, however, were found to have a significant but negative relation (r = -0.115, p < 0.05). Moreover, according to the mediation analysis, gratitude and subjective happiness were found to be significantly and partially mediated by school kindness (Beta = -0.042, CI [-0.081, -0.012]). However, the results showed that the relationship between gratitude and subjective happiness is negated when school kindness mediates the relationship.