Low control in a person's life is often associated with which psychological issue?

Low control in a person's life is often linked to psychological dysfunction because a lack of control can lead to feelings of helplessness and anxiety, significantly impacting mental health. Individuals may experience diminished self-efficacy, where they feel incapable of influencing the events and challenges in their lives. This state can exacerbate existing mental health issues or contribute to the development of new psychological problems, such as depression or anxiety disorders.

In contrast, high self-esteem and effective coping skills are typically associated with a sense of agency and control over one's environment, and resilience reflects an individual's capacity to recover from difficulties, which suggests a certain level of control and adaptability. Therefore, while low control can lead to dysfunction, other attributes like resilience or effective coping skills usually indicate a person has developed mechanisms to manage their challenges more effectively, contrasting with the concept of psychological dysfunction.