Gratitude, Mindfulness, and Life Satisfaction in Older Adults

Abstract

As the global population continues to age, understanding the psychological resources that promote well-being in later life has become increasingly important. Gratitude and mindfulness have emerged as key constructs in positive psychology, with each independently associated with enhanced life satisfaction. However, their combined influence—particularly the mediating role of mindfulness in the gratitude-life satisfaction relationship among older adults—remains underexplored. This study examined the relationships between gratitude, mindfulness, and life satisfaction in older adults, with specific focus on mindfulness as a potential mediator and gender differences in these constructs. A cross-sectional design was employed with 297 older adults (aged 60-80 years; 56.8% male) recruited through convenience sampling. Participants completed the Gratitude Questionnaire-6 (GQ-6), Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire-15 (FFMQ-15), and Riverside Life Satisfaction Scale (RLSS). Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation, multiple regression, and independent samples t-tests. Findings revealed significant positive correlations between gratitude and life satisfaction (r = .579, p < .01) and between mindfulness and life satisfaction (r = .295, p < .01). However, no significant relationship emerged between gratitude and mindfulness (r = .01, p > .05). Regression analysis showed gratitude significantly predicted life satisfaction (β = .57, p < .001), explaining 33.5% of the variance. Mindfulness did not mediate the gratitude-life satisfaction relationship. Gender differences were observed only in mindfulness (t = -2.39, p = .02), with females scoring higher than males. Gratitude and mindfulness independently contribute to life satisfaction in older adults, though mindfulness does not serve as a mediator between gratitude and life satisfaction. These findings highlight the importance of cultivating both gratitude and mindfulness as distinct pathways to enhance well-being in later life.