Prediction of Mental Lealth Based on the Life Span Theory of Control Strategies in Advanced and Deprived Areas

Social research has raised serious concerns regarding mental health among people living in deprived areas. Goal engagement control strategies can be useful in explaining the reason(s) behind this situation. The present study was conducted with the explicit aim of predicting mental health based on the life span theory of control strategies in advanced and deprived areas. The research sample consisted of 1188 employees working for different organizations and companies from all over Iran, who had been selected from both advanced and deprived areas. Results obtained from a previous study were used for determining these areas. Given their geographical proximity, students of psychology at the University of Isfahan participated in data collection. Research instruments included work-related demands, control strategies & mental health scales. Findings showed that changes in levels of job demands, goal engagement and lack of goal engagement control strategies is high and mental health is low in deprived areas. There was a negative correlation between work-related demands and lack of goal engagement control strategies in such areas with the mental health variable. There was also a positive correlation between goal engagement control strategies and mental health. Thus, the use of control strategies under conditions of deprivation can mitigate the negative effects of changes in work-related demands in short term, but will lead to lower long-term mental health.