Predicting Social Adjustment in University Students based on Alexithymia and Psychological Vulnerability

Abstract

The research has been performed to the aim of predicting social adjustment based on alexithymia and psychological vulnerability of students in Department of Human Sciences of Payam-e Noor University in Sari. Statistical population of the research included all B.A. students from Department of Human Sciences of Payam-e Noor University in Sari in academic year of 2018-19, from among whom 234 individuals have been selected through multi-stage random cluster sampling. To measure research variables, three questionnaires of Toronto alexithymia scale, short form of symptom checklist of mental disorder (SCL-25), and social adjustment of students have been used. Validity and reliability of questionnaires have been respectively checked and confirmed through content validity and Cronbach's alpha. To analyze data, descriptive statistics, Pearson Correlation Coefficient, and multivariate regression have been applied via SPSS 24. According to the results obtained, alexithymia along with high level of psychological vulnerability are potential sources of affecting social adjustment in students; and, they directly predict students' social adjustment. So, students' social adjustment can be predicted based on their alexithymia and psychological vulnerability.