Mediating role of personality dysfunction and perceived stress on the relationship between stressful life events and psychological well-being among young adult women in India

Abstract Background Young adult women in India often face significant stress from navigating education, careers, and societal expectations, which can impact their psychological well-being. This study investigates how stressful life events (SLEs) affect psychological well-being and examines the media...

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Main Authors: Jereesh K. Elias, B. R. Sahithya, K. S. Paviyazhini
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer 2025-08-01
Series:Discover Psychology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1007/s44202-025-00409-5
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author Jereesh K. Elias
B. R. Sahithya
K. S. Paviyazhini
author_facet Jereesh K. Elias
B. R. Sahithya
K. S. Paviyazhini
author_sort Jereesh K. Elias
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Young adult women in India often face significant stress from navigating education, careers, and societal expectations, which can impact their psychological well-being. This study investigates how stressful life events (SLEs) affect psychological well-being and examines the mediating roles of personality dysfunction and perceived stress. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 190 Indian women aged 18–24. Participants completed measures of SLEs, psychological well-being, personality dysfunction, and perceived stress. Structural equation modeling was used to explore direct and indirect relationships. Results SLEs were linked to increased perceived stress and lower psychological well-being. Personality dysfunction was also associated with higher stress levels and reduced psychological well-being. Mediation analysis showed that both personality dysfunction and perceived stress significantly explained the pathway between SLEs and psychological well-being. Conclusions The findings highlight the intertwined roles of stress and personality in shaping young women’s mental health. These insights support targeted interventions to reduce the negative impact of stressful life events. Addressing personality functioning and incorporating stress management strategies at the university level may help enhance psychological well-being. Future research should consider the limitations of the current study design and sample characteristics, which may affect generalizability, and examine these relationships across more diverse populations using longitudinal designs to clarify causality.
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spelling doaj-art-2fd396ae5eee4d97b51c6c4b1bc13a302025-08-24T11:44:38ZengSpringerDiscover Psychology2731-45372025-08-015111910.1007/s44202-025-00409-5Mediating role of personality dysfunction and perceived stress on the relationship between stressful life events and psychological well-being among young adult women in IndiaJereesh K. Elias0B. R. Sahithya1K. S. Paviyazhini2School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher EducationSchool of Psychology, University of Nottingham MalaysiaPSGR Krishnammal College for WomenAbstract Background Young adult women in India often face significant stress from navigating education, careers, and societal expectations, which can impact their psychological well-being. This study investigates how stressful life events (SLEs) affect psychological well-being and examines the mediating roles of personality dysfunction and perceived stress. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 190 Indian women aged 18–24. Participants completed measures of SLEs, psychological well-being, personality dysfunction, and perceived stress. Structural equation modeling was used to explore direct and indirect relationships. Results SLEs were linked to increased perceived stress and lower psychological well-being. Personality dysfunction was also associated with higher stress levels and reduced psychological well-being. Mediation analysis showed that both personality dysfunction and perceived stress significantly explained the pathway between SLEs and psychological well-being. Conclusions The findings highlight the intertwined roles of stress and personality in shaping young women’s mental health. These insights support targeted interventions to reduce the negative impact of stressful life events. Addressing personality functioning and incorporating stress management strategies at the university level may help enhance psychological well-being. Future research should consider the limitations of the current study design and sample characteristics, which may affect generalizability, and examine these relationships across more diverse populations using longitudinal designs to clarify causality.https://doi.org/10.1007/s44202-025-00409-5Psychological well-beingStressful life eventsLevels of personality functioningPersonality dysfunctionPerceived stress
spellingShingle Jereesh K. Elias
B. R. Sahithya
K. S. Paviyazhini
Mediating role of personality dysfunction and perceived stress on the relationship between stressful life events and psychological well-being among young adult women in India
Discover Psychology
Psychological well-being
Stressful life events
Levels of personality functioning
Personality dysfunction
Perceived stress
title Mediating role of personality dysfunction and perceived stress on the relationship between stressful life events and psychological well-being among young adult women in India
title_full Mediating role of personality dysfunction and perceived stress on the relationship between stressful life events and psychological well-being among young adult women in India
title_fullStr Mediating role of personality dysfunction and perceived stress on the relationship between stressful life events and psychological well-being among young adult women in India
title_full_unstemmed Mediating role of personality dysfunction and perceived stress on the relationship between stressful life events and psychological well-being among young adult women in India
title_short Mediating role of personality dysfunction and perceived stress on the relationship between stressful life events and psychological well-being among young adult women in India
title_sort mediating role of personality dysfunction and perceived stress on the relationship between stressful life events and psychological well being among young adult women in india
topic Psychological well-being
Stressful life events
Levels of personality functioning
Personality dysfunction
Perceived stress
url https://doi.org/10.1007/s44202-025-00409-5
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