Belief in Just World and Social Competence in Orphans

Author: Iqra Abdul Haq

Supervisor: Syeda Fatima Hasnain & Farah Malik, PhD

Degree: M.Sc

Year: 2014-2016

University: Institute of Applied Psychology, Punjab University, Lahore, Pakistan

Abstract

The current research investigated the relationship between belief in just world and social competence in orphan. It was hypothesized that there would be a positive relationship between personal and general belief in just world and social competence in orphans. Similarly, there would be a positive relationship between procedural and distributive belief and social competence in orphans. Moreover, that there would be gender differences in domains of belief in just world and social competence in orphans. Correlational research design with purposive sampling technique was used. A sample of 80orphans living in 2 orphanages of Lahore was taken with an age range of 14 to 18 years (M = 16.24, SD = 1.62).Belief in Just World Scale (Lucas, Zhdanova, & Alexander, 2011) was translated into Urdu and an indigenously developed Social Competence Scale (Shujja & Malik, 2014) was used. Results showed that general belief in just world, personal belief in just world and procedural belief in just world were positively correlated with social competence. However, distributive belief in just world was not correlated with social competence. The results of multiple hierarchical regression analysis indicated that personal belief in just world and procedural belief in just world significantly predicted social competence. Moreover, results of independent samples t-test revealed a non-significant gender differences in social competence and belief in just world. However, boys showed more adaptability and self- confidence (sub domains of social competence).Further results revealed that orphans belonging to urban areas showed high score on belief in just world than participants from rural areas. The results of the study were discussed in Pakistani socio-cultural context. The present study has implication in developing counseling strategies in the related fields.

Keywords: Belief in just world, Social Competence, Orphans.

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Corresponding Address: Department of Applied Psychology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan. Email: chairperson@appsy.pu.edu.pk, Phone: 92-42-9231245

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