Ethnic Variation in Locus of Control and Psychological Well-Being Among Youth of Dumka, Jharkhand

Abstract

This study examined whether ethnic identity moderates the relationship between locus of control (LoC) and psychological well-being (PWB) among young people in Jharkhand’s Dumka district. Drawing on Rotter’s Social Learning Theory and Ryff’s multidimensional well-being framework, 500 ethnically balanced participants (aged 22–36) responded to LoC and PWB measures adapted to the local cultural context. Statistically, non-tribal youth reported significantly higher levels of both LoC and PWB compared to their tribal counterparts, with effect sizes ranging from moderate to large. Correlation analysis revealed that the LoC–PWB link was markedly stronger for non-tribal youth (r = 0.82) than for tribal youth (r = 0.59). Hierarchical regression analysis confirmed ethnicity as a significant moderator, with the interaction effect contributing 5.2% additional explanation of PWB variance above main effects (β = 0.23, p < .001). These findings underscore that the psychological benefits of internal control beliefs are heightened in environments with broader socio-economic opportunities, emphasizing the importance of culturally sensitive approaches. Such interventions should address personal agency and structural disparities in marginalized communities, fostering well-being by supporting both individual empowerment and systemic change.