Who Feels Most in Control of Their Life?

Do you ever feel like you’re in the driver’s seat of your own life? That feeling of being capable and able to handle whatever comes your way is called a “sense of mastery. ” It’s a powerful ingredient for a happy and healthy life.

“Our ability to feel capable is not just a personal trait, but is deeply shaped by our age, relationships, and society.”

Researchers wanted to know how this feeling varies around the world, so they asked over 200,000 people in 22 different countries a simple question: “How often do you feel very capable in most things you do in life? ” The results were full of surprises. The countries with the highest sense of mastery weren't just the wealthiest ones. Mexico and Egypt topped the list, with about 90% of people saying they often or always feel capable.

They were followed by Argentina, Israel, and the United States. At the other end of the spectrum was Japan, where only 39% of people felt this way. The study also found some common patterns. Generally, people’s sense of mastery grows as they get older. Having more education, being married, and being employed were also linked to feeling more in control.

People who regularly attend religious services also reported higher levels of mastery. However, these trends weren't universal and varied from country to country, showing that culture and local conditions play a big role. The core takeaway is that our ability to feel capable isn't just a personal trait; it's deeply connected to our age, relationships, work, and the society we live in.