Newcomer University Students' Social Adjustment, Optimism, and Emotion Regulation
Abstract
The current study explores the relationship between optimism, emotion regulation, and social adjustment among newcomer university students; it also focuses on gender differences as revealed by study variables. A sample of 400 (M = 200, F = 200) freshers, ranging from 18 to 20 years, was collected from several universities in Wah Cantt and Rawalpindi using a purposive sampling strategy. The data were collected using the Life Orientation Test Revised (LOT-R), the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ), and the Student Adaptation to College Questionnaire (SACQ). Statistical analysis was used to interpret the results. No significant associations were found between study variables and there were no significant differences in study variable levels among the newcomers. The results from hierarchical multiple regression showed that optimism and emotion management were positive predictors of social adjustment among newcomer university students. One-way ANOVA findings demonstrated a substantial relationship between socioeconomic level and social adjustment. This discovery will benefit future research in this area. The current study will extend the body of knowledge and lead to future improvements.
Keywords: optimism, emotional regulation, social adjustment, university students.
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