Presenting a Causal Model of the Effect of Intrinsic and Extrinsic Aspirations on Life Satisfaction: the Mediating Role of Mental Health

The present study was done with the aim of presenting the causal model of the effect of intrinsic and extrinsic aspirations on life satisfaction and the mediating role of mental health. The population included all students studying at Allameh Tabatabaei University during the 2011-2012 academic year, from which 250 students were selected using the available sampling method. The scales for assessment used in the study were Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), General Health Questionnaire (28- GHQ), and Aspiration Index (AI). Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the data. The results showed that intrinsic aspirations predicted mental health positively, and external aspirations predicted mental health negatively; intrinsic and extrinsic aspirations had no direct effect on life satisfaction; rather, intrinsic aspirations increased student life satisfaction through the mediation of mental health. External aspirations reduced life satisfaction through the mediation of mental health. Mental health also had a direct and an indirect effect on life satisfaction. According to the results, to improve life satisfaction and mental health, we need to highlight values, desires, basic needs, meaning, and purpose in life.