Relationship Between Psychological Well-Being, Sense of Control and Social Adjustment Among Married Individuals

Abstract

Background & Aims: A harmonious marital relationship marked by mutual understanding, effective communication, and shared responsibilities enhances mental health and overall life satisfaction, whereas marital conflict and dissatisfaction often lead to stress, anxiety, and emotional instability. Within this context, a strong sense of control the belief in one’s ability to influence life outcomes serves as a protective factor that promotes resilience, effective coping, and psychological well-being. Similarly, social adjustment, which involves adapting to social roles and maintaining fulfilling interpersonal relationships, is essential for sustaining marital satisfaction and emotional stability. Difficulties in adjustment can weaken a person’s sense of control and diminish overall well-being. Recognizing the interdependence among these constructs, the present study aimed to examine the relationship between psychological well-being, sense of control, and social adjustment among married individuals, while also exploring how these factors vary across gender, age, residence, and family system to provide insights for fostering healthier and more resilient marital relationships.

Method: A sample of 400 participants (191 males, 209 females) was selected through purposive sampling. The Psychological Well-Being, Sense of Control (personal mastery, perceived constraint), And Social Adjustment Scales were used to assess mental well-being, control and adjustment outcomes. Statistical analyses included independent sample t-tests, correlation analyses, and regression analysis to examine differences and relationships among variables.

Results: The findings demonstrated substantial associations between psychological well-being, sense of control, and social adjustment among married people. Perceived constraints were shown to have a substantial negative connection with psychological well-being (r = -.38, p <.01) and social adjustment (r = -.22 to -.49, p <.01), indicating that persons experiencing more limits reported lower well-being and poorer adjustment. Personal mastery has a significant positive link with psychological well-being (r =.19, p <.01) and social adjustment in various areas, including job, home, and family interactions (r =.39 to.56, p <.01). Multiple regression analysis verified that psychological well-being (β =.42, p <.001) and social adjustment (β =.37, p <.001) were significantly predicted by sense of control (both perceived constraint and personal mastery). Independent t-tests revealed significant gender and age differences. Middle-aged adults reported higher psychological well-being (M = 102.6, SD = 15.7) than young adults (M = 95.0, SD = 17.3; t (398) = 3.12, p <.01), while females reported higher perceived constraints (M = 57.4, SD = 6.9) than males (M = 54.3, SD = 7.2; t (398) = 2.68, p <.01). Urban inhabitants performed substantially better on social and leisure activities (M = 27.1, SD = 4.6) than rural residents (M = 23.8, SD = 5.1; t(398) = 3.94, p <.001). There were no major variations observed between family systems. Overall, these findings indicate that higher personal mastery and fewer perceived constraint lead to better psychological well-being and more effective social adjustment in married people.

Conclusion: The study emphasizes the importance of a sense of control and social adjustment in the psychological well-being of married people, arguing that stronger personal mastery and effective social adaptation correlate to greater emotional stability and marital happiness.

Implications: These findings can be used by mental health practitioners and counselors to develop therapies that improve couples' personal mastery, communication, and problem-solving skills. Such measures may help people better handle marital stress and improve emotional resilience. Furthermore, the findings emphasize the necessity of developing community programs and awareness campaigns that promote social support, empowerment, and strong marriage relationships, resulting in better mental health and overall life satisfaction among married people.