Investigating the Mediating Roles of Hopelessness and Psychological Distress in the Relationship between Psychological Vulnerability and Well-Being among Married Individuals

The well-being of married individuals is shaped by various psychological factors, among which psychological vulnerability, hopelessness, and psychological distress play critical roles. This study investigates how psychological vulnerability impacts well-being through the mediating effects of hopelessness and psychological distress. The sample comprised 522 married individuals aged 23 to 67 (M = 36.70, SD = 10.77). Data were collected using the Psychological Vulnerability Scale, Patient Health Questionnaire-4, Beck Hopelessness Scale, and Mental Health Continuum Short Form. Pearson Correlation analysis was employed to examine the relationships between variables, and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was used to test the mediating roles. The significance of direct and indirect relationships was assessed using the bootstrap method. The analysis revealed significant correlations among the variables. SEM results indicated that psychological vulnerability positively and significantly predicted hopelessness and psychological distress, while hopelessness and psychological distress negatively predicted well-being. Additionally, the serial mediation of hopelessness and psychological distress in the relationship between psychological vulnerability and well-being was found to be significant. These findings suggest that psychological vulnerability can adversely affect the well-being of married individuals through the serial mediation of hopelessness and psychological distress. This study may contribute valuable insights to the literature and offers practical implications for couple and family counseling.