Psychometric Properties of the Self-Defeating Behavior Scale for University Students: Insights for Foreign Language Learners

Authors

  • Hamoud A. Alshehri

    Department of Curriculum and Instruction, College of Education, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
  • Abdulaziz Faleh Al-Osail

    Department of Curricula and Teaching Methods, College of Education, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa 31982, Saudi Arabia
  • Ali Lamouchi

    Department of English Language and Literature, College of Science and Humanities, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj 11942, Saudi Arabia
  • Waheed Elsayed Hafez

    Department of Curriculum Instruction and Technology, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Northern Border University, Arar 91431, Saudi Arabia
  • Mohamed Sayed Abdellatif

    Department of Psychology, College of Education in Al-Kharj, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj 11942, Saudi Arabia
  • Aida AbdElaal Elagamy

    Department of Arabic Language, College of Education in Al-Kharj, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj 11942, Saudi Arabia

    Department of Arabic Language and Islamic Studies, College of Education, Tanta University, Tanta 31527, Egypt

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30564/fls.v7i4.8804
Received: 20 February 2025 | Revised: 21 March 2025 | Accepted: 24 March 2025 | Published Online: 26 March 2025

Abstract

In the field of learning English as a Foreign Language (EFL), behaviors that undermine progress are known as self-defeating behaviors. These actions and attitudes create obstacles in acquiring the language and reflect a complicated mix of emotions and thoughts. Often, these issues arise after facing ongoing difficulties or tough situations, causing feelings of despair and powerlessness. This research aims to confirm the effectiveness of a psychometric tool for measuring self-defeating behavior in university students studying English as a Foreign Language (EFL). A descriptive research method was employed, and the tool was given to a group of 412 learners at the university level to test its reliability and accuracy in assessing self-defeating behaviors in this educational setting. Various statistical methods were used for data analysis, such as Confirmatory Factor Analysis, Exploratory Factor Analysis, Composite Reliability (CR), Cronbach’s alpha coefficient, and Pearson’s correlation coefficient. The results from these analyses demonstrated that the scale is highly valid in assessing self-defeating behaviors among the students who participated in the research. The analysis identified four unique aspects of self-defeating behavior: feelings of spiritual emptiness, self-hatred, perceptions of inadequacy, and psychological vulnerability. Consequently, the Self-Defeating Behavior Scale used in EFL classrooms shows a good level ofconstruct validity, internal consistency, and reliability over time. Thus, it is confirmed to be appropriate and dependable for application in this area. These results imply that the validated Self-Defeating Behavior Scale can be effectively used to recognize and tackle self-defeating behaviors in university students learning EFL, thereby aiding in enhancing both academic results and emotional health.

Keywords:

Psychometric Properties; Self-Defeating Behavior; University Students; EFL

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How to Cite

Alshehri, H. A., Al-Osail, A. F., Lamouchi, A., Hafez, W. E., Abdellatif, M. S., & Elagamy, A. A. (2025). Psychometric Properties of the Self-Defeating Behavior Scale for University Students: Insights for Foreign Language Learners. Forum for Linguistic Studies, 7(4), 114–127. https://doi.org/10.30564/fls.v7i4.8804

Issue

Vol. 7 , Iss. 4 (April 2025): In Progress

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Article

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Copyright © 2025 Hamoud A. Alshehri, Abdulaziz Faleh Al-Osail, Ali Lamouchi, Waheed Elsayed Hafez, Mohamed Sayed Abdellatif, Aida AbdElaal Elagamy

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This is an open access article under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) License.