The psychological profile of university students with and without a disciplinary record: A comparative study

The present research aimed to compare the psychological profile of university students with and without a disciplinary record.

The statistical populations of this descriptive and causal-comparative study, included all Ferdowsi University of Mashhad undergraduates with a verdict issued by the university committee on discipline in the academic years of 2018-2019 and 2019-2020 and all undergraduates with no disciplinary record in the same academic year. A sample of 200 undergraduates was selected from each population with the purposive sampling method. Both groups responded to the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) and NEO Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI). Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data.

The results showed significant differences in depression (P= 0.001), anxiety (P= 0.006), and overall mental health scores (P= 0.01) between two groups. Similarly, significant differences were found in neuroticism (P= 0.001), openness to experience (P= 0.001), agreeableness (P= 0.001), and conscientiousness (P= 0.001). Students with a disciplinary record showed more psychological problems than those without a disciplinary record. Moreover, they had higher scores for negative traits and lower scores for positive traits.

Based on these findings, students with disciplinary records may have some special personality problems and need more psychological help. Also, these findings can contribute to developing disciplinary rules to prevent student infractions.