FAMILY STRUCTURE AND DYNAMICS: INFLUENCE ON PERSONALITY AND WELL-BEING OF INDIVIDUALS

Abstract

Family structure holds a great impact on the well-being of individuals. This study was conducted in order to understand the influence of family structure on personality and well-being of individuals. This study comprises of three family structures including nuclear family, joint family and single-parent family that are more prominent in Pakistan and the effect of these family structures on well-being of individuals. For well-being six important indicators were measured which include autonomy, environmental mastery, personal growth, positive relations, purpose in life, and self-acceptance. The main objective of this study was to see the impact of family structure such as nuclear family, joint family and single-parent family on the well-being of the individuals. Convenience sampling was used in this research and population was the students of Government College University Lahore. There were 105 respondents from whom data was collected by online forms. Findings of this research indicates that individuals from joint family and single-parent family had higher level of well-being than individuals from nuclear family system. Another finding of this study was that male participants had slightly higher level of well-being than female participants. This research also indicates that monthly family income has an impact on the well-being of individuals. There was a significant difference in the well-being of individuals who belong to different economic classes. It was found that individuals with monthly family income between 20000-70000 have lower level of well-being as compared to individuals with monthly family income more than 220000. Overall, findings suggest that students from joint family and single-parent family have better well-being as compared to nuclear family structure.