Exploring the Relationship between Psychological Capital and Spiritual Well-being among Young Adults.

Abstract

The present study examined the relationship between psychological capital and spiritual wellbeing among young adults (18–21 years), with gender as a comparative variable. Young adulthood is a critical developmental phase marked by identity exploration, academic pressures, and heightened psychological vulnerability, making it essential to investigate the role of internal protective resources in sustaining mental health. A sample of 200 young adults (89 males, 111 females) was recruited from undergraduate colleges in the Jammu region using a quantitative research design. Psychological capital was assessed using the psychological capital questionnaire (PCQ-12) and spiritual well-being using the spiritual well-being scale (SWBS). Pearson's correlation and independent samples t-test were employed for data analysis. The findings revealed a significant positive relationship between psychological capital and spiritual well-being (r = .31, p < .01). No significant gender differences were found in either construct, indicating that both resources operate comparably across male and female young adults. The study underscores the significance of fostering psychological and spiritual strengths together as complementary foundations of well-being, with meaningful implications for mental health intervention and student support programs in educational settings.