Medical and Health Sciences

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https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11888/18295

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Browsing Medical and Health Sciences by Author "Abukhdair, Narmeen"

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    FAMILY CLIMATE AND ITS RELATIONSHIP TO PERSONALITY DISORDERS AMONG ADOLESCENTS IN JERUSALEM: A QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE COMPARATIVE STUDY
    (An-Najah National University, 2026-01-29) Abukhdair, Narmeen
    The primary aim of this study was to examine the relationship between family climate and personality disorders among adolescents in Jerusalem. The study also investigated the influence of demographic factors such as gender, age, birth order, place of residence, parental educational level, and monthly family income on the levels of family climate and personality disorders. A mixed-methods research design was employed, combining both quantitative and qualitative approaches. In the quantitative phase, 150 adolescents were recruited using convenience sampling, while in the qualitative phase, 16 adolescents were purposively selected based on extremely high or low scores on family climate and personality disorder scales. Data were collected using standardized instruments and semi-structured interviews. Quantitative results revealed a strong positive correlation between an unhealthy family climate and personality disorders. Regression analysis indicated that fake parental love (β = .38, p < .001) and enmeshed family system (β = .34, p < .001) were the strongest predictors of personality disorders, particularly psychoticism (R² = .41, F(2,198) = 67.21, p < .001). Adolescents reported moderate levels of unhealthy family climate (M = 2.85, SD = 0.64), with dehumanization being the highest indicator (M = 3.21). Personality disorder traits were also at a moderate level, with the highest scores in impulsivity, anxiety, hostility, intimacy avoidance, and disinhibition. Independent samples t-test showed no significant gender differences, while ANOVA results indicated significant differences in personality disorders by age and birth order, but not by other demographic variables. Qualitative findings (interviews) showed that family climate directly influences personality development, emotional expression, conflict resolution, and social behavior. Two major themes emerged: healthy families were characterized by emotional support, effective communication, and empowerment, which enhanced self-confidence, resilience, and pro-social skills; unhealthy families were marked by criticism, neglect, rigid hierarchies, and favoritism, leading to insecurity, loneliness, and maladaptive behaviors. Based on these findings, the study recommends the development of family-based intervention programs aimed at addressing negative dimensions of family climate, such as dehumanization, enmeshment, and emotional detachment. Such programs should focus on building trust, ensuring emotional safety, and strengthening supportive family bonds, thereby reducing the risk of personality disorders among adolescents and improving overall family well-being.