Materialism and Life Satisfaction in Muslim Youth: Role of Gratitude and Religiosity

The present study aimed at investigating the role of gratitude and religiosity in relation with materialism and life satisfaction. A convenient sample was comprised of 230 Muslim students (95 boys and 135 girls) from different departments of University of Sargodha. Variables of the study were measured through the Gratitude Questionnaire-6 (McCullough et al. 2002), Materialism Value Scale (Richins & Dawson, 1992), Satisfaction with Life Scale (Diener, Emmons, Larsen, & Griffin, 1985), and Centrality of Religiosity Scale (Huber & Huber, 2012). Correlational analysis indicated positive relation of materialism with life satisfaction and gratitude while negative but non-significant relation with religiosity. Linear regression analysis revealed materialism and gratitude as significant predictors of life satisfaction. Mediating analysis showed gratitude as mediating factor between materialism and life satisfaction. Furthermore, interactive effect showed moderating effect of religiosity between materialism and life satisfaction. Results revealed that individuals showed more life satisfaction who had higher level of religiosity and low level of materialism. Significant gender differences were found in terms of materialism, gratitude, and religiosity, while nonsignificant differences were found in terms of life satisfaction. Results revealed meaningful information to the top management of the university, researchers and teachers to design intervention programs to reduce materialistic values and improve life satisfaction by enhancing gratitude approach and religious values in youth. Implications of the study and suggestions for future research have also been discussed.