Adolescents living in orphanages report higher life satisfaction when they regularly experience gratitude, according to a 2026 study by psychologists from the University of Northern Sumatra, Indonesia. The research, led by Maizuhra Shafira Nst with colleagues Tarmidi Dadeh and Indri Kemala Nasution, was published in the Indonesian Journal of Education and Psychological Science. Based on data from 200 adolescents in institutional care, the findings show that gratitude plays a measurable and positive role in how young people evaluate their lives, even amid the challenges of growing up without parental care.
The study matters because Indonesia, like many countries, continues to rely on orphanages and foster institutions to care for children who have lost one or both parents. Adolescence is already a period marked by emotional, social, and cognitive change. For adolescents in orphanages, those changes often occur alongside grief, economic hardship, and social stigma. Understanding factors that strengthen well-being in this context is increasingly important for educators, caregivers, and policymakers.
Why Gratitude Matters in Institutional Care
Previous international research has consistently linked gratitude with psychological well-being, optimism, and life satisfaction. Gratitude refers to a person’s tendency to notice, appreciate, and emotionally respond to positive experiences and support from others. In everyday terms, it reflects how often individuals feel thankful for what they have rather than focusing on what they lack.
For adolescents in orphanages, daily life is shaped by structured routines, shared living spaces, and limited personal autonomy. While these conditions can feel restrictive, they may also provide stability, safety, education, and peer support—resources that were often absent before entering institutional care. The researchers argue that gratitude helps adolescents reframe their experiences, allowing them to evaluate their lives more positively despite past loss or hardship.
This perspective is particularly relevant at a time when mental health promotion among vulnerable youth has become a policy priority in many countries, including Indonesia. Programs that strengthen emotional resilience are seen as cost-effective ways to improve long-term outcomes in education, employment, and social integration.
How the Study Was Conducted
The research used a quantitative survey design involving 200 adolescents living in orphanages. Participants completed two widely used psychological questionnaires:
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The Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), which measures how individuals cognitively evaluate their overall life quality.
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The Gratitude Questionnaire–6 (GQ-6), which assesses how frequently and intensely individuals experience gratitude in daily life.
The data were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM), a statistical approach that examines relationships between psychological variables. In simple terms, the analysis tested whether higher gratitude scores were associated with higher life satisfaction scores among the adolescents.
Key Findings at a Glance
The results show a clear and statistically significant relationship between gratitude and life satisfaction:
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Gratitude had a positive effect on life satisfaction, with a standardized coefficient of β = 0.318.
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The relationship was statistically significant (p = 0.012), indicating that the finding is unlikely to be due to chance.
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Adolescents who reported higher levels of gratitude consistently reported higher levels of life satisfaction.
The researchers also noted, based on field observations, that many adolescents compared their current lives in orphanages with earlier experiences marked by instability, neglect, or uncertainty. Access to regular meals, education, healthcare, and supportive caregivers often triggered feelings of gratitude, which in turn contributed to a more positive evaluation of life.
Living alongside peers with similar life stories also appeared to strengthen emotional support and social belonging. This shared environment reinforced gratitude and reduced feelings of isolation, both of which are known contributors to psychological well-being.
Real-World Implications
The findings carry practical implications for orphanage management, educators, and mental health professionals. Gratitude is not a fixed trait; it can be cultivated through daily practices and supportive environments.
According to the authors, simple interventions may have meaningful impact, such as:
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Encouraging adolescents to keep short gratitude journals.
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Creating weekly reflection sessions where residents share positive experiences.
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Integrating gratitude themes into religious, moral, or character education programs.
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Training caregivers to model appreciative communication and recognition.
“These results show that gratitude supports a positive evaluation of life, even among adolescents facing significant personal loss,” explained Maizuhra Shafira Nst of the University of Northern Sumatra. The research team emphasizes that gratitude helps adolescents focus less on limitations and more on available support, opportunities, and relationships.
At a policy level, the study supports the inclusion of positive psychology approaches in child welfare and adolescent mental health programs. Rather than focusing solely on risk and trauma, institutions can strengthen well-being by nurturing positive emotions that are both low-cost and culturally adaptable.
Author Profiles
Maizuhra Shafira Nst is a psychology researcher affiliated with the University of Northern Sumatra. Her academic interests focus on adolescent well-being, positive psychology, and mental health in institutional care settings.
Tarmidi Dadeh is a lecturer and researcher in psychology at the University of Northern Sumatra, with expertise in developmental psychology and psychological measurement.
Indri Kemala Nasution is a psychologist and academic at the University of Northern Sumatra, specializing in youth mental health and social psychology.
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