Public Perception on the Major Issues of Pakistan: Repercussions for Psychosocial Health

Abstract

Quality of life is a complex construct that goes beyond typical economic statistics. Scholars have underlined the need to combine subjective indicators with objective measurements to completely assess psychosocial wellbeing. This study looks at how public perception of major issues in Pakistan has changed over seven years, from 2017 to 2024. Using longitudinal survey data from 500 participants in Rawalpindi and Islamabad, Pakistan, the study examines alterations in public opinions of 25 significant psychosocial concerns including bad governance, child labor, corruption, crime, poor health facilities, disregard of ethical values, energy crisis, environmental issues, gender-based discrimination, illiteracy, inflation, lack of infrastructure, misinterpretation of religion, national integration, political instability, poor mental health, population explosion, poverty, sectarianism, social injustice, technological backwardness, terrorism, unemployment, violation of sovereignty, yellow journalism. Participants assessed the severity of each issue on a 10-point scale, demonstrating significant shifts in societal concerns over time. Findings show a significant increase in the perceived relevance of governance-related concerns, as well as ongoing worry about corruption. This study highlights Pakistanis’ increased awareness of psychosocial difficulties, as well as the importance of constructive ways to tackle societal challenges to improve psychosocial health and sustainable development. The discussion provided in the current relates to the connections between environmental factors and psychosocial health which is a novel and noteworthy contribution to the existing literature on environmental psychology.