Cluster Analysis of Path and Goal-Oriented Values in Married and Unmarried people

Abstract

Values are enduring belief systems that guide individuals’ choices, behaviours, and judgments across life domains, including intimate relationships. Within marital life, the balance between path-oriented and goal-oriented values plays a significant role in shaping psychological and emotional well-being. Drawing on Rabindrik value principles derived from the songs of Nobel laureate Reverend Rabindranath Tagore; present study examines relative importance and distribution of path-oriented and goal-oriented values among married and unmarried individuals. Path-oriented values emphasize the manner of engagement in the marital journey, such as self-awakening, emotional regulation, self-acceptance, and nishkam conduct, whereas goal-oriented values focus on desired end states, including peace, enlightenment, altruism, and spiritual fulfilment. Data were collected from 101 married and unmarried (33 married and 68 unmarried) individuals from urban and rural settings, each with a minimum of three years of marital life, using snowball sampling. Cluster analysis revealed two dominant value clusters within each orientation. Path-oriented values were grouped into inner growth and ethical action clusters, while goal-oriented values formed spiritual–humanistic and social–pragmatic clusters. The findings suggest that both value orientations coexist in marital life, contributing differently to marital happiness and psychological well-being. The study highlights the relevance of Rabindrik value orientations in understanding value-based dynamics in marriage and offers implications for marital counselling and value-based interventions.