ETHNIC IDENTITY AND PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING: THE MEDIATING ROLE OF AMBIVALENCE IN CLOSE RELATIONSHIPS

This study examined the role of ethnic identity and relationship ambivalence in predicting psychological well-being among 422 adults from Turkey. Specifically, the mediating role of relationship ambivalence (direct and indirect) on the link between the importance of ethnic identity and well-being (hedonic and eudaimonic) was examined using an online survey. Mediation analyses, using SPSS PROCESS macro, indicated that the importance attached to ethnic identity positively predicted eudaimonic well-being through a reduction in direct ambivalence, but not through indirect ambivalence. For hedonic well-being, both direct and indirect ambivalence mediated the relationship between the importance of ethnic identity and well-being, with reductions in ambivalence linking to increased well-being. Gender, age, education, and relationship status were included as covariates, with age and relationship status positively predicting well-being outcomes. These findings suggest that the significance individuals place on their ethnic identity may enhance their psychological well-being by alleviating relationship ambivalence, drawing attention to the impact of social relationships on well-being.