The Mediating Role of Gratitude in the Link Between Parental Warmth and Subjective Well-being in Youth

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the mediating role of gratitude in the relationship between perceived parental warmth and subjective well-being among adolescents. Methods and Materials: A descriptive correlational research design was employed, involving 412 adolescents aged 15–18 years from secondary schools across Georgia. Standardized instruments were used to assess parental warmth (Parental Acceptance-Rejection Questionnaire – Warmth/Affection subscale), gratitude (Gratitude Questionnaire–Six-Item Form), and subjective well-being (Satisfaction with Life Scale). Data were analyzed using SPSS-27 for descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation, and AMOS-21 for Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). Assumptions of normality, linearity, and multicollinearity were confirmed prior to analysis. Findings: Descriptive analysis indicated relatively high mean scores for parental warmth (M = 67.42), gratitude (M = 34.57), and subjective well-being (M = 27.68). Pearson correlation coefficients revealed significant positive associations between all variables: parental warmth and gratitude (r = .48, p < .001), parental warmth and subjective well-being (r = .41, p < .001), and gratitude and subjective well-being (r = .56, p < .001). The structural model showed good fit indices (χ²/df = 2.08, CFI = 0.97, RMSEA = 0.051). SEM results confirmed that gratitude significantly mediated the relationship between parental warmth and subjective well-being. The direct path from parental warmth to well-being was also significant (β = 0.26, p < .001), as was the indirect path through gratitude (β = 0.25, p < .001). Conclusion: The findings support a robust mediation model, demonstrating that gratitude plays a crucial intermediary role in linking parental warmth to adolescents’ subjective well-being. These results underscore the importance of fostering both supportive parenting and gratitude practices to enhance psychological well-being in youth.