Relationship between anger, social competence and academic performance in youth in Kuwait. (c2014)

Abstract

This study examined the variable “Anger” in youth in Kuwait and its relationship to “Social Competence”. It also investigated gender differences and types of schools differences (public versus private) in relation to these two variables. The study further investigated “Social Competence” and “Anger” in relation to “Academic Performance”. Data were collected using STAXI-2 C/A and SSIS in English format and Arabic adaptations in private and public schools in Kuwait. The sample consisted of 357 students (161 females and 196 males), ranging in age from 16 to 18 years. Results revealed that the variable “Social Skills” was positively correlated with “Anger Control” and negatively correlated with “State Anger” and “Anger Expression Out”. The results also revealed significant differences between public and private schools respondents, with public schools respondents scoring significantly higher on “State Anger”, “Trait Anger” and “Anger Expression Out” and significantly lower on “Anger Expression In”, “Anger Control” and ‘Social Skills”. The results did not reveal significant gender differences in the variables “State Anger” and “Trait Anger”, but there were significant gender differences in the variable “Anger Expression In” with female participants scoring higher. Findings revealed a negative relationship between “State Anger” and “Academic Performance” and a positive significant relationship between “Social skills” and “Academic Performance”. The main recommendation that stems from this study is that schools in Kuwait, public schools in particular, must adopt programs for teaching students social skills and anger control.