Clinical Psychology and Personality

Clinical Psychology and Personality

The role of personality traits and psychological capital in predicting risky behaviors in orphaned adolescents

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
1 PhD candidate in counseling, Department of counseling, Mashhad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Mashhad, Iran
2 Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Education sciences and Psychology, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
3 Assistant Professor, Department of psychology, Torbat-e- Jam branch, Islamic Azad University, Torbat-e-Jam, Iran
4 Professor, Department of psychology, Mashhad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Mashhad, Iran.
5 Assistant Professor, Department of Counseling, Mashhad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Mashhad, Iran
Abstract
Introduction: Considering the importance of adolescence and the potential crises during this period, especially among vulnerable groups, this study aimed to investigate the role of personality traits and psychological capital in predicting high-risk behaviors in orphaned adolescents.

Method: This research was a descriptive-correlational study. The statistical population consisted of all orphaned adolescents aged 13 to 18 years (both boys and girls) living in welfare centers under the supervision of the Welfare Organization in Mashhad. A total of 300 participants were selected using a census method. The study utilized the Iranian Adolescent Risk-Taking Scale (IARS), the NEO Five-Factor Personality Inventory (NEO), and the Psychological Capital Questionnaire (PCQ). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics (Pearson correlation and stepwise regression) via SPSS-21 software.

Results: The findings indicated that personality traits such as conscientiousness, agreeableness, and neuroticism (p < 0.0001, R² = 0.206) and components of psychological capital, including hope and optimism (p < 0.0001, R² = 0.067), were significant predictors of high-risk behaviors.

Discussion and Conclusion: Therefore, it is recommended to focus on individual differences among these adolescents and design programs to enhance hope and optimism as a means to increase resilience and prevent the emergence of high-risk behaviors in this population.
Keywords

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