Adolescent Well-being and Gratitude in Relation to Parental Happiness: An Empirical Analysis

Abstract

This study investigated the relationships between adolescent psychological well-being, gratitude, and parental happiness in a sample of 326 parent-adolescent dyads. Using a cross-sectional design, standardized measures of psychological well-being, gratitude disposition, and subjective happiness were administered to adolescents (ages 13-17) and their parents. Correlation and hierarchical regression analyses revealed significant positive associations between all three variables. Notably, adolescent gratitude partially mediated the relationship between parental happiness and adolescent psychological well-being. Further structural equation modeling confirmed this mediation effect while controlling for demographic variables. These findings provide empirical support for the transmission of psychological well-being within family systems and highlight gratitude as a potential intervention target for enhancing adolescent mental health outcomes. The results suggest that family-based approaches incorporating gratitude practices may be effective in promoting adolescent well-being.