Learned helplessness in a sample from Lebanon : a relational analysis with the big five personality traits

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of our research is to determine the extent to which learned helplessness exists in Lebanese people during the current crisis. This study will also look at which personality traits correlate with this state of mind and to what extent these traits correlate. Method: This is a basic fundamental study that employs a cross-sectional approach. A total of 234 people were recruited and completed a survey that included categorical and dichotomous questions, the learned helplessness Scale (LHS) and the Big Five Inventory-10 (BFI-10). The software Excel was used for the statistical analysis. Results: In the Lebanese population, the learned helplessness score was moderately high. The two most prevalent personality traits in this sample were agreeableness and conscientiousness. Finally, the stress abating factor and escape possibilities (SAF-EP) did not protect against the development of learned helplessness.