A serial mediation model of gratitude on life satisfaction in people with multiple sclerosis: The intermediary role of perceived stress and mental health symptoms

Abstract

Background: Although prior research has explored the role of gratitude in individuals with disabilities, there is relatively limited research examining the positive influence of gratitude in decreasing psychological distress, promoting mental health, and ultimately improving well-being in the multiple sclerosis (MS) population. The study aimed to examine the cumulative mediating effect of perceived stress and mental health between gratitude and life satisfaction among people with MS. Methods: This study was cross-sectional. Participants were 373 individuals with MS. Descriptive statistics, correlation analyses, and a serial mediation analysis were performed in this study. Results: Gratitude was negatively associated with perceived stress and mental health symptoms, and was positively associated with life satisfaction. Perceived stress was positively associated with mental health symptoms and negatively associated with life satisfaction. Mental health symptoms were negatively associated with life satisfaction. The findings demonstrated that the relationship between gratitude and life satisfaction was partially mediated by perceived stress and mental health symptoms in individuals with MS. Conclusions: Findings provided implications on integrating gratitude interventions when working with people with MS. By increasing gratitude levels in people with MS, this may in turn lead to reduced perceived stress and mental health symptoms, which in turn may enhance their life satisfaction.