The causal relationship between perceived social support and life satisfaction through hope, resilience and optimism

Abstract

In this study, the causal relationship between social support and life satisfaction through hope, resilience and optimism was studied. The sample of the study consisted of 200 orphaned women under the care of Bavardelan charity institute, who were voluntarily selected for the study. In this research, the following scales were used, including; Perceived social support of Zimet, Dahlem, Zimet, & Farley (1988), Life satisfaction scale (Diener, Emmons, Larsen & Griffin, 1985), Hope scale of Snyder (1991), Life orientation (Scheier & Carver,1985) and Resilience questionnaire (Conner & Davidson, 2003). The statistical method used was Pearson correlation and path analysis using the Amos statistical software. The results showed that social support was positively associated with life satisfaction, hope, optimism and there was a causal relationship between hope, optimism, resilience and life satisfaction. Also, findings have shown that there was an indirect positive relationship between social support and life satisfaction, in terms of hope, optimism, and resilience. The results of indirect hypotheses showed that social support encouraging hope, optimism, and resilience has a positive relationship with life satisfaction. It can be concluded that positive psychological dimensions including hope, resilience and optimism can play an important role in enhancing the orphaned women's life satisfaction. Accordingly, there was a need for planning and training to create a supportive atmosphere to reduce the harm inflicted on these women and increase the well-being of their lives more than ever before.