Mapping Psychological Capital among Adolescents: Comparative Insights Across Gender and Locale

This study examined the psychological capital of adolescents, with a focus on variations across gender and locale. Psychological capital is conceptualized as a positive psychological construct encompassing four core dimensions namely: hope, self-efficacy, resilience, and optimism. The sample comprised 540 adolescents aged 16—18 years, drawn from Government Senior Secondary Schools across the Ludhiana, Moga and Fatehgarh Sahib districts of Punjab, India. The sample was stratified equally by gender (270 males, 270 females) and locale (270 rural, 270 urban). Psychological capital was assessed using the validated Psychological Capital Questionnaire (PCQ). Statistical analyses revealed significant gender differences, wherein female adolescents exhibited higher scores in hope and self-efficacy, while male adolescents scored significantly higher on resilience. Furthermore, locale-wise comparisons indicated that urban adolescents demonstrated markedly greater resilience and overall psychological capital relative to their rural counterparts. These findings highlight the necessity for targeted, culturally and contextually sensitive interventions aimed at cultivating psychological capital to enhance adolescent developmental outcomes.