The Strength of the Family: Links between Marital Status, Large Family Structure,
and Indicators of Well-Being.THEORETICAL BACKGROUND – Based on previous empirical
findings, the relationship between family formation, the number of children, and subjective
well-being cannot be considered unambiguous. This complex association is shaped by
various individual and social factors. While having children may foster a sense of
meaning in life and enrich individuals with emotionally fulfilling experiences, an
increasing number of children may, in certain circumstances, strain the stability
of family functioning. Regarding the positive consequences of parenthood, religiosity
is frequently identified in the literature as a protective factor, and increasing
attention has also been given to additional psychological resources – particularly
social support and gratitude.GOALS – In this paper, we examine the subjective well-being,
perceived social support, and dispositional gratitude of married individuals with
large families. The investigation also explores how these psychological phenomena
relate to key sociodemographic variables such as age, gender, and religiosity.METHODS
– A cross-sectional, quantitative survey was conducted with 809 participants (626
women and 183 men; M_age = 40.8 years, SD = 13.85). The sample included 220 married
individuals raising three or more children, while 363 participants reported regularly
practising their religion. In addition to providing sociodemographic data, respondents
completed the Bern Subjective Well-Being Questionnaire, the GRAT Gratitude Questionnaire,
and the Perceived Social Support Questionnaire.RESULTS – The analyses indicated that
being married and having a large family was primarily associated with higher levels
of perceived social support. Participants in this group reported significantly greater
instrumental (t(473.28) = -5.505, p < .001, Cohen’s d = -0.398), emotional (t(472.37)
= -5.720, p < .001, d = -0.414), and socially interactive support (t(440.30) = -5.505,
p < .001, d = -0.480) compared to individuals in other relational statuses raising
fewer children. In contrast, the large-family status did not emerge as an independent
shaping factor of subjective well-being when other sociodemographic variables were
controlled. A more nuanced pattern emerged for gratitude: marital and large-family
status (F = 15.348, p < .001, η² = 0.015), gender (F = 21.764, p < .001, η² = 0.022),
and religiosity (F = 64.754, p < .001, η² = 0.065) all showed significant associations
with dispositional gratitude.CONCLUSIONS – The findings highlight the complex interplay
between gratitude and family as well as religious background. The protective function
of dispositional gratitude may be especially relevant for the development of psychological
prevention and intervention programmes, as it can contribute both to the enhancement
of perceived social support and the maintenance of subjective well-being.
