Comparison of the Quality of Life, Positive Thinking and Psychological Capitals of Girls from Single-Child Families with Multi-Child Families

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to compare the quality of life, positive thinking and psychological capital of girls from single-child families with those from multi-child families. The present study was in the category of causal-comparative descriptive researches in terms of practical purpose and in terms of method and nature. The statistical population of the study was girls aged 15 to 18 years in Semnan city, where 300 questionnaires (150 questionnaires among girls with one child and 150 questionnaires among girls with multiple children) were distributed by available sampling method. Ingram and Weissnicki (1988), Luthans psychological capital (2007) and World Health Organization (1996) quality of life questionnaires were used to collect information. Collected data were analyzed using Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, multivariate variance analysis and covariance analysis. The findings of the research showed that there is a difference between the psychological capital of girls from single-child families and from multi-child families. So that the components of hope, resilience, self-efficacy and optimism are higher among girls from families with several children (p<0.05). There is a difference between the quality of life of girls in single-child families and those in multi-child families. So that the components of mental health, physical health, health of the surrounding environment are higher among girls from single-child families (p<0.05). There is a difference between the positive thinking of girls from single-child families and from multi-child families. So that positive thinking is higher among girls from families with several children (p<0.05). The obtained results can be used by the guardians of the family system.