Impact of Self-Handicapping, Defensive Pessimism on Goal Orientation Among Adolescents of Sialkot Pakistan

Abstract

The purpose of the current study was to examine the impact of Self-handicapping, Defensive Pessimism on Goal Orientation among Adolescents of Sialkot - Pakistan. A sample of (n=215) students was collected by using a purposive sampling technique. Three standardized questionnaires (i)Self -Handicapping Scale by (Jones, E.E & Rhodewalt, F.,1982), (ii) Defensive Pessimism Scale by (Norem, J.K., Cantor, N.,1986), and(iii) Goal Orientation Scale by (Dweck & Leggett, 1988) were utilized to measure the variables. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS, version 25. Mean and standard deviations were computed through descriptive statistics, and Pearson’s correlation coefficient analysis was used to find out the relationship which suggested a correlation of  (r=.38* & r= .68*), among variables. Multiple regression analysis was used to find out the prediction value which suggested a significant regression model with (R²=.421, F= (2,210) =76.386, p<0.01) with (β =.147, .57, p<0.01). For testing gender differences, t-test was applied which showed no significant difference in the values of SHS (M=74.58,75.90) DPS (M=40.09,39.57) and GOS (M=107.24,107.11), Similarly, no significant difference was found in the mean scores of the goal orientation and defensive pessimism with respect to rural and urban  background as (M=104.39, 108.88) and (M=39.35, 40.11) nevertheless , significant difference found between the mean scores of self-handicapping due to urban and rural background with a mean score of (M=73.33 & 76.45).