Family Environment as A Predictor of Neuroticism and Extraversion Among Students of Jadara University

Background/purpose. This study aimed to investigate the extent to which the family environment predicts neuroticism and extraversion among students at Jadara University. A total of 425 university students were recruited.

Materials/methods. Two scales, the Family Environment Scale and the Neuroticism and Extraversion Scale, derived from the Big Five Personality Factors Inventory, were utilized. Multiple linear regression was employed for data analysis using a stepwise approach.

Results. The findings showed that two variables involved in predicting neuroticism (conflict and cohesion) accounted for 19.7% of the variance in neuroticism. Conflict was a stronger predictor of neuroticism, followed by cohesion. The variance explained by these predictors was statistically significant at the α=0.05 level. Conversely, expressiveness, Intellectual-Cultural Orientation, recreational orientation, and organization were not included in the prediction of neuroticism. Additionally, the findings showed that a one-standard-deviation increase in conflict was associated with a 0.401-standard-deviation rise in neuroticism. In contrast, a one standard deviation gain in cohesion was linked to a 0.213 standard deviation fall in neuroticism. The α = 0.05 criterion indicated that these predicted variables were statistically significant. The variables that predict extroversion were recreational orientation and conflict, accounting for 16.4% of the variance. The former was the most capable of predicting extroversion. The variance explained by these variables was statistically significant at the α = 0.05 significance level. Cohesion, expressiveness, intellectual-cultural orientation, and organization variables did not predict extroversion.

Conclusion. The researchers presented a set of recommendations, the most important of which was holding educational seminars for families and students to familiarize them with the dimensions of the family environment that contribute to reducing neuroticism and raising extroversion among students.

Keywords: Family environment, neuroticism, extroversion, university students

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