INFLUENCE OF GRATITUDE, SELF-EFFICACY, AND SUBJECTIVE HAPPINESS ON SATISFACTION WITH LIFE AMONG NURSING STUDENTS IN FCT, ABUJA

Abstract

The study investigated the influence of Gratitude, Self-efficacy, and Subjective Happiness on Satisfaction with Life
among Nursing Students in the School of Nursing and Midwifery FCT, Abuja, Nigeria. Using a quantitative survey
design, data was collected from a randomly selected sample of two hundred and seven (207) students (100 males
and 107 females) across all three levels of the school. Self-administered questionnaires consisting of the Gratitude
Questionnaire (Q6), the New General Self-Efficacy (NGSE), the Subjective Happiness Scale (SHS), the Satisfaction
With Life Scale (SWLS), and socio-demographic questions constituted the research instruments used for data
collection. Five research hypotheses were postulated and tested using linear regression analysis. The results showed
that gratitude significantly influenced subjective happiness (R2 =.067, F (1,205) = 14.74, B =.259, P.05). Self-efficacy
did not influence subjective happiness (R 2 =.71, f (1,205) = 15.621, B =-.266, P.05). Gratitude significantly influenced
satisfaction with life (R2 =.071, F (1, 205) = 15.621, B = -.266, P.05). Self-efficacy significantly influenced satisfaction
with life (R2 =.059, F (1, 205) = 12.960, B = 2.44 P.05). Gratitude and self-efficacy significantly and jointly influenced
subjective happiness (R2 =.127, F (2, 204) = 14.844, B = 394, .279, P.05). On the basis of the findings, it was
recommended that nursing students be encouraged to focus on the positive aspects of life, such as consciously
redirecting their attention away from negative stressors associated with the Nigerian educational system and actively
seeking out the good in situations, as this can help increase feelings of gratitude and happiness.
Keywords: Gratitude, Self-efficacy, Subjective happiness, Satisfaction with life, Nursing students.