1School of Psychology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China 2Department of Psychology, University of Malakand, Chakdara, Pakistan 3Institute of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China 4Brian and Psychological Center, School of Psychology, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu, China 5Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, Mental Health Center, Shanghai, China
Received: August 29, 2024 Revised: December 3, 2024 Accepted: May 6, 2025 Published online: July 16, 2025
Abstract
Objective Late adolescence and young adulthood are crucial periods when individuals rely on family support to navigate challenges like identity formation and career decisions. Supportive families aid in coping during this transition. This study examines the links between family quality of life (FQoL), goal attainment, and psychological distress in the Pakistani cultural context. Methods Of the 300 students in this cross-sectional study, 52.0% were men, and 48.0% were women. The study employed the Beach Centre Family Quality of Life Scale to assess students’ well-being within a familial context, the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 to measure psychological distress, and the Goal Achievement Questionnaire (goal achievement mastery [GA-M] and goal achievement performance [GA-P]) to evaluate goal orientation. Results GA-M was negatively associated with depression, stress, family interaction, and parenting but positively linked to anxiety. Conversely, GA-P was positively associated with psychological distress. Women students scored higher on GA-P (t(298)=-3.41, p<0.001). In contrast, men scored higher on Physical/Material Well-being (t(298)=2.35, p<0.01). Additionally, FQoL positively predicted GA-P via depression and stress but negatively predicted GA-M via depression and stress. Conclusion FQoL is closely linked to students’ GA-M and GA-P, with depression and stress as indirect mediators. These findings underscore the critical role of familial support in shaping goal achievement.
