Emotional Family Dysfunction and Its Relationship to Selected Variables among Secondary School Students in Libyan Society

A Field Study Based on a Sample from Al-Khums City

Abstract

The present study aimed to examine the relationship between emotional family dysfunction and selected psychological and social variables among secondary school students in Libyan society. The sample consisted of 240 male and female students (120 each), and the study adopted a descriptive correlational design. An Emotional Family Dysfunction Scale developed by the researcher was administered after establishing its psychometric validity and reliability. Statistical analyses included Pearson’s correlation coefficient, Cronbach’s alpha, a one-sample t-test, percentages, and weighted means. The findings revealed a statistically significant difference at the 0.01 level between the participants’ actual mean scores and the hypothetical mean on the scale, in favor of the hypothetical mean. The most prominent indicators of emotional family dysfunction were weak emotional communication with parents, fear of expressing feelings, frequent family conflicts, the father’s quick temper, excessive use of mobile phones and the internet, isolation within the home, and limited emotional support. Moreover, significant positive correlations (p ≤ 0.01) were found between emotional family dysfunction and feelings of familial neglect, loneliness, parental bias, rejection, lack of trust, emotional deprivation, and seeking emotional compensation outside the family. In contrast, significant negative correlations at the same level were identified with parental support, perceived parental love, parental involvement in children’s emotional experiences, assistance during problems, and fulfillment of needs. The study concluded with recommendations and proposals based on the findings.