Self-handicapping: A Cross-Sectional Study on Students of Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences

Abstract

Background and Objective: Self-handicapping is a set of behaviors to externalize failures and internalize success. The present study aimed to determine the status of self-handicapping and its association with some academic variables among students of Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 296 students of Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences. The participants were selected via random sampling and probability proportional to size sampling. Data were collected using a self-report questionnaire. Data were analyzed in SPSS software (Version 16) using descriptive and analytical tests at 95% confidence level. Results: The mean age of students was reported as 22.21±2.10 (age range of 18-years). The mean score of self-handicapping was 16.64±3.48, which indicated that the participants obtain 66.56% of the maximum score of self-handicapping. Dental students were engaged in more self-handicapping, compared to other students (P=0.011). Moreover, it was shown that married students self-handicapped more than single students (P=0.025), and older students obtained higher scores in self-handicapping (r=0.144; P= 0.025). Conclusion: Due to the fact that students gained more than 50% of the maximum self-handicapping score, it is essential to plan relevant intervention programs and conduct further studies to identify the effective causes of self-handicapping.

Keywords

• academic self-efficacy
• motivation for academic achievement
• self-esteem