The PERMA model dimension, life satisfaction, and happiness among undergraduates in Pakistan; gratitude as a mediator

Positive emotions, engagement, relationship, meaning and accomplishment (PERMA) with gratitude as mediator play important role in life satisfaction and happiness. However, less evidences are available in Pakistani context, especially among undergraduate university students. Therefore, the aim of current research is to measure the PERMA model dimensions, life satisfaction and happiness among undergraduates in Pakistan; gratitude as a mediator. A total sample of 384 undergraduate university students, aged from 18 to 22 years (M = 20.46, SD = 1.07) from first and second semester were selected through convenient sampling from three universities (University of Punjab Lahore, Government College University Faisalabad, and Islamia University of Bahawalpur) in Punjab, Pakistan. Four research instruments were employed in current study: (i) PERMA-Profiler to measure positive emotion, engagement, relationship, meaning, and accomplishment; (ii) Gratitude Questionnaire; (iii) Subjective Happiness Scale and (iv) Riverside Life Satisfaction Scale. The data were analyzed using SPSS and the results of bivariate correlation showed that positive emotion, engagement, relationship, meaning, and accomplishment have significant positive association with gratitude, life satisfaction, and happiness. While gratitude has also significant positive association with life satisfaction and happiness. The mediation analysis was performed through Process by Hayes and results found that gratitude has significant positive complementary partially mediation in association of positive emotion, engagement, relationship, meaning and accomplishment with life satisfaction and happiness. The gender differences were measured through Independent Sample T-test and results confirmed that female undergraduate university students were significantly higher in positive emotion, engagement, relationship, meaning accomplishment, gratitude, life satisfaction, and happiness than male students. This study therefore is crucial for applications, providing guidelines to address undergraduate students’ life satisfaction and happiness. It offers valuable insights for key stakeholders, including academicians and policymakers, enhancing their understanding of students' holistic wellbeing. Additionally, it serves as a valuable resource for clinical psychologists and mental health professionals, guiding therapeutic interventions to enhance positive emotions, engagement, relationships, meaning, accomplishment, and gratitude, thereby promoting university students' well-being.