Self-Defeating Personality Traits among Postgraduate Students in Iraqi Universities: An Analytical Study by Gender and Academic Level

This study aimed to identify the prevalence of self-defeating personality traits among postgraduate students and to examine differences based on gender (male vs. female) and academic specialization (humanities vs. scientific disciplines). A descriptive research design was employed. The researchers utilized Kebatey’s (2008) Self-Defeating Personality Scale, which was translated and adapted to suit the Iraqi context. The scale comprises 35 items and was administered to a random sample of 300 postgraduate students at the University of Anbar. Data were analyzed using the Pearson correlation coefficient, one-sample t-test, and independent samples t-test. Findings revealed that postgraduate students exhibited a low level of self-defeating personality traits. No statistically significant differences were found based on gender; however, significant differences emerged by academic specialization, with humanities students exhibiting higher levels of self-defeating personality traits. The study recommends integrating mental health topics—such as self-assertion and the pursuit of positive experiences—into university curricula, organizing workshops focused on overcoming psychological setbacks in Iraqi higher education institutions, and conducting further research on the relationship between self-defeating personality traits and variables such as self-esteem and social self-efficacy.