Smiling behavior and its association with positive self-esteem among first-year university students

Abstract

The researcher, in his study titled "Smiling Behavior and Its Association with Positive Psychological Attitudes among First-Year University Students", aimed to examine the level of smiling behavior among first-year university students following their transition from secondary school, as well as to identify differences in this behavior based on gender and academic specialization. The study further sought to determine the level of positive psychological attitudes and the correlation between smiling behavior and such attitudes. A descriptive methodology was employed to investigate the phenomenon. The study population consisted of 1,145 male and female students enrolled in the first year of university studies across scientific and humanities disciplines. From this population, a sample of 134 students was randomly selected using Thompson’s equation. Two instruments were designed for data collection: one measuring the level of smiling behavior (comprising 31 items distributed across three dimensions) and another measuring the level of positive psychological attitudes (comprising 28 items across three dimensions). Both instruments utilized a four-point Likert scale with the response options: Strongly Agree, Agree, Disagree, and Strongly Disagree. The tools were developed with reference to prior research and relevant studies.