Article
Gratitude and Life Satisfaction among Mothers of Children with Special Needs in Special Schools across Kendari City
Jurnal Sublimapsi, Vol. 7 No. 3 (2026), hlm. 310–317
Abstrak
Life satisfaction among mothers is a subjective evaluation of life quality based on the congruence between conditions and expectations. For mothers of children with special needs, life satisfaction may be influenced by challenges, parenting stress, caregiving demands, and emotional difficulties associated with caring for their children. Gratitude is considered a factor that may enhance life satisfaction. This study aimed to determine the extent to which gratitude contributes to life satisfaction among mothers of children with special needs attending special schools throughout Kendari City. A quantitative approach with an ex post facto design was employed. The respondents consisted of 56 mothers selected through purposive sampling according to criteria. Data were collected using the Gratitude Scale and Life Satisfaction Scale, then analyzed to examine the contribution of gratitude to life satisfaction. The results indicated that gratitude contributed to life satisfaction among mothers of children with special needs. These findings suggest that appreciating positive experiences and being thankful for life can support favorable life evaluations and help mothers manage daily caregiving demands adaptively.