How Psychological Capital Shapes Parental Well-Being: Understanding Its Role in Reducing Stress

Abstract

Parental stress is a critical factor influencing parental mental health, child development and family well-being. This study examines the impact of psychological capital on parental stress. Data was collected data from 300 parents (both working and non-working) from various cities in Pakistan using convenient purposive sampling technique. The study variables were assessed using compound psychological capital scale (Dudaova et al., 2021) and parental stress scale (Berry & Jones, 1995). Findings of correlation analysis indicated that psychological capital is negatively correlated with parental stress. Significant group differences were found on gender, education level, and current employment status. Post graduates reported a significantly higher levels of psychological capital then the graduate ones. These differences suggest that parents who have high level of education experience a notably higher level of psychological capital and display greater self-efficacy than the parents with lower education. The results also showed that parents who are employed show higher levels of psychological capital as compared to the unemployed ones. The findings have practical implications for parenting programs, mental health interventions, and policies aimed at promoting parental well-being.