FEMALE HEALTH AND SOCIO CULTURAL CHANGE IN KUWAIT: STRESS, DEPRESSION, AND LOCUS OF CONTROL
This research study attempted to identify differences emerging in three psychological processes among Kuwaiti adult females who identify with traditional roles prescribed for women in Kuwaiti/Arab society, and Kuwaiti adult females who identify themselves with the more liberal, modern, professionally oriented concepts of the female role held by Western culture. The three psychological variables studied were (1) the directionality of locus of control (external/internal), (2) levels of depression, and (3) levels of stress. The research question that was investigated through the conduct of this study was as follows: In contemporary Kuwaiti society, may modern Kuwaiti women be expected to have an internal locus of control (as opposed to an external locus of control orientation for traditional Kuwaiti women), and to experience lower levels of depression and stress than traditional Kuwaiti women?
Three hypotheses were tested in the investigation of the research question. Hypothesis number one held that the directionality of locus of control would be related to the societal roles of females in a changing Kuwaiti society. Although not explicitly stated as a part of the hypothesis, the assumption in this study stated as a part of the explanation of the hypothesis was that the locus of control orientation of modern Kuwaiti women would be more internal in character, while that of traditional Kuwaiti women would be more external in character. Hypothesis number two held that the level of depression of females in Kuwait would differ in emphasis
according to the societal roles with which females identified in a changing Kuwaiti society. Although not explicitly stated as a part of the hypothesis, the assumption in this study stated as a part of the explanation of the hypothesis was that Kuwaiti females iden
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