PERSONAL BOUNDARIES AS A FACTOR OF PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING

Abstract

The article presents a comprehensive theoretical analysis of personal boundaries as one of the key factors of an individual’s psychological well-being in the context of contemporary social challenges. The relevance of the study is обусловлена by the increasing level of psychological load, chronic stress, social instability, and the impact of crisis and wartime conditions, which heighten the demands on an individual’s internal resources and their capacity for self-regulation. Within the framework of the study, psychological well-being is considered a multidimensional psychological construct that reflects a dynamic process of maintaining inner balance, psychological resilience, and a subjective sense of psychological comfort. The internal and external factors of psychological well-being are analyzed, in particular the role of awareness, self-regulation, and adaptive mechanisms in preserving an individual’s mental health. Special attention is given to the analysis of the phenomenon of personal boundaries, their essence, main types, and functions within the structure of psychological self-regulation. The significance of physical, emotional, and mental boundaries for maintaining autonomy, psychological safety, and inner integrity of the individual is revealed. It is shown that violations of personal boundaries are associated with a decrease in psychological well-being, the development of emotional exhaustion, increased anxiety, and maladaptive forms of interpersonal interaction. The article also analyzes the role of emotional intelligence as an important psychological resource for the formation, maintenance, and restoration of personal boundaries. It is substantiated that emotional intelligence ensures awareness of emotional signals, effective self-regulation, empathy, and assertive behavior, which contribute to more flexible and conscious interaction with the social environment. The systemic interrelationship between personal boundaries, emotional intelligence, and psychological well-being is revealed as a unified regulatory mechanism of psychological resilience. It is concluded that well-formed personal boundaries in combination with a developed emotional intelligence are a necessary condition for maintaining psychological well-being, adapting to stressful and crisis conditions, and preserving personal integrity. The theoretical provisions of the article can be used in further scientific research as well as in the practical activities of psychologists, particularly in the field of psychoeducation and psychological support.