Maintaining High Eudaimonic Wellbeing Despite Ambiguity Intolerance Among Three Employment Status Groups: Examining the Buffering Effects of Positive Psychological Attributes

Abstract

The unemployed, as well as individuals in self and salaried employment, face several work-related risks and uncertainties which can result in diminished psychological wellbeing especially for individuals with high ambiguity intolerance. However, positive psychology literature suggests that individuals with strong psychological resources can be resilient in difficult circumstances. Using a sample of 922 individuals (including 240 unemployed, 391 salary-employed, and 291 self-employed) from Uganda and Kenya, we investigated the moderating effects of locus of control and psychological capital on the association between ambiguity intolerance and eudaimonic wellbeing, comparing the unemployed with individuals in salaried and self-employment. Our findings indicated that ambiguity intolerance and external locus of control are negatively associated with eudaimonic wellbeing. Conversely, internal locus of control and psychological capital were positively associated with eudaimonic wellbeing. The moderation analysis revealed that whereas an external locus of control boosts the negative effects of ambiguity intolerance on eudaimonic wellbeing, internal locus of control and psychological capital buffer against the negative effects of ambiguity intolerance on eudaimonic wellbeing. Differences between employment status groups and implications are discussed.

The role of hope in buffering the influence of intolerance of uncertainty on student’s psychological well-being.

“…Moreover, past research has provided robust evidence for the association between IU and the different components of well-being (Baluku et al, 2022; Bardeen et al, 2013; Rasmussen et al, 2013; Shoychet et al, 2022). For instance, Morse et al (2021) indicated that people who are tolerant of uncertainty find more meaning in their lives, while people who experience increased IU often function at a lower level of meaning formation to calm their anxiety and seek solace in certainties.…”

“…On the other hand, a study conducted by Reizer et al (2021) found that IU is a significant predictor of psychological distress, and an inability to cope with increased uncertainty can lead to increased levels of distress and lower levels of well-being. Moreover, past research has provided robust evidence for the association between IU and the different components of well-being (Baluku et al, 2022;Bardeen et al, 2013;Rasmussen et al, 2013;Shoychet et al, 2022). For instance, Morse et al (2021) indicated that people who are tolerant of uncertainty find more meaning in their lives, while people who experience increased IU often function at a lower level of meaning formation to calm their anxiety and seek solace in certainties.…”

Control Yourself! Examining the Dimensions of Eudaimonic Psychological Well-Being as Related to Locus of Control Using Structural Equation Modeling

“…While Rotter (1966) is certain to note that neither loci of control is inherently superior to the other, several studies indicate that a general orientation toward an internal locus of control is more frequently associated with benefits in a variety of areas, such as physical health, interpersonal relationships, academic achievement, and job performance (Hopkins et al, 2020;Levy & Gumpel, 2020;Kesavayuth et al, 2020;Strong & Gore, 2020). Given the evident benefits of orientation toward an internal locus of control, researchers have worked extensively to confirm the association between locus of control and various measures of psychological well-being (Baluku et al, 2021;Di Pentima et al, 2019;Enwere & Mbakwe, 2021;Skomorovsky & Wan, 2019). With a public interest in mental health awareness and an emphasis on positive psychology today, psychological well-being is a continuously growing area of research.…”

“…Several studies exploring the relationship between locus of control and psychological well-being indicate that an individual's locus of control may influence or predict their level of psychological well-being (Baluku et al, 2021;Di Pentima et al, 2019;Enwere & Mbakwe, 2021;Skomorovsky & Wan, 2019;Sona et al, 2020). Specifically, the findings of these studies suggest that a general orientation toward an internal locus of control is associated with higher levels of psychological well-being.…”

“…Given its close association with these positive life outcomes, many researchers seek to isolate what factors or traits may facilitate the attainment of psychological well-being (Akhtar & Kroener-Herwig, 2019;Kardas et al, 2019;Poudel et al, 2020;Stevenson et al, 2019;Xia & Ma, 2020). One trait that appears to reliably predict an individual's level of psychological well-being is their locus of control (Baluku et al, 2021 Pentima et al, 2019;Enwere & Mbakwe, 2021;Skomorovsky & Wan, 2019). Based on these considerations, the primary purpose of this study was to replicate previous findings that internal loci of control predict higher levels of psychological well-being.…”