Explaining Psychological Resilience Based on Enneagram and Communication Skills

Using a correlational and causal-comparative design, this study aimed to assess and investigate Enneagram (nine personality types) and communication skills as the antecedents of resiliency. Participants were 320 university students from Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman (130 persons) and Islamic Azad University of Kerman (190 persons) who were selected via random cluster sampling procedure. Three instruments including the Resilience Scale for Adults (Jowkar, Friborg, & Hjemdal, 2010), Riso-Hudson Enneagram Type Indicator (Riso-Hudson, 2013), and Communication Skills Scale (Jerabek, 2004) were used to measure the variables. The validity and reliability for scales were assessed and calculated using factor analysis and Cronbach's alpha coefficient. The data were analyzed using simple linear regression. The results showed that among nine personality types, reformer, helper, achiever, loyalist and enthusiast types are positive predictors for resilience while individualistic and peacemaker personality types predict resilience negatively. But, investigator and challenger types cannot predict resilience. Furthermore, among the communication skills, only assertiveness was a positive predictor and other communication skills were negative predictors for resilience. In general, it can be concluded that certain personality traits like passion, forgiveness, adaptability, hard working, curiosity and assertiveness in communication can help people to experience higher levels of resiliency.