IMPACT OF PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS AND SOCIAL STIGMA ON SELF-CONCEPT AND LIFE SATISFACTION AMONG MARRIED COUPLES WITH NO CHILDREN

Abstract

Childlessness, whether voluntary or involuntary, can significantly impact an individual's psychological well-being, social experiences, and overall life satisfaction. The present study is a correlational research design aimed at examining the impact of psychological distress and social stigma on self-concept and life satisfaction among married couples with no children. A sample of 130 was selected using a purposive sampling technique. Self-report questionnaires were used to collect data from the participants. Psychological distress was measured using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scales-21(Lovibond & Lovibond, 1995) social stigma was assessed using the Perceptions of Stigmatization by Others for Seeking Psychological Help (Vogel et al., 2009) self-concept was evaluated through the Robson Self-Concept Questionnaire (Robson, 1989) and life satisfaction was measured using the Life Satisfaction Questionnaire-11(Fugl-Meyer et al., 1991). Data was analyzed by using descriptive statistics, correlation, multiple linear regression, T-test, and frequency analysis via SPSS. Findings revealed significant negative relationships between independent variables, psychological distress, and social stigma with dependent variables, self-concept, and life satisfaction. This signifies that psychological distress and social stigma are negatively correlated with self-concept and life satisfaction. Further findings revealed significant gender differences and indicated that women reported higher psychological distress and social stigma, whereas men demonstrated greater self-concept and life satisfaction. Results demonstrated a significant prediction of the impact of psychological distress and social stigma on self-concept and life satisfaction.