Psychological Distress Among Unmarried Pakistani Women: A Quantitative Study

There is limited literature on the psychological distress among unmarried women in Pakistan, where the reason behind being unmarried is a concerning issue due to the country's collectivistic society, which highly regards and respects marriage, unlike living relationships that are both legally and culturally prohibited. The objective of this study is to highlight the rising cultural issue in Pakistan by investigating psychological distress, operationalized as anxiety and depression, through a cross-sectional correlational design and purposive sampling technique, with inclusion criteria of women aged at least 25 years and having a minimum of intermediate education. The study utilized the revised versions of the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) to assess the variables, revealing a significant association between anxiety and depression, with regression analysis indicating a significant and positive effect of anxiety on depression among unmarried Pakistani women. The study provides comprehensive recommendations for future research and implications to address unmarried women's issues by promoting awareness, encouraging practical government steps, and emphasizing the key role of mental health professionals.