Ecological Developmental Assets and Gratification Delay: Hedonic Well-Being as a Potential Mediator

This study was intended to investigate the relationships between ecological developmental assets, well-being, and the ability to delay gratification among youths. The ecological asset and gratification delay were treated as independent and dependent constructs respectively whereas hedonic well-being was used as a mediator. The participants of the study were 614 students selected from secondary schools. Specifically, this study examined the extent to which the stated model fits the data. In addition, the direct effect of ecological assets on hedonic well-being and gratification delay; the contribution of hedonic well-being to gratification delay and the indirect effect of ecological assets on gratification delay were investigated. Data were collected using selected items from gratification delay, life satisfaction, positive and negative affect, and developmental asset profile scales. The Data were analysed with confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modelling. The result revealed that the model fits the data well. The ecological asset has a considerable direct effect on both hedonic well-being and the ability to delay gratification. In addition, hedonic well-being has a significant effect on the ability to delay gratification. Furthermore, hedonic well-being partially mediates the relationship between ecological assets and the ability to delay gratification. Ecological asset has a direct and indirect significant relationship with the ability to delay gratification. It is concluded that nurturing ecological assets and improving the overall life satisfaction of youths contributes to enhance the ability to delay gratification.