Demographic Correlates of Self-Defeating Personality among the Community Population of Pakistan

Abstract

Self-Defeating Personality, characterized by a reluctance to pursue enjoyable activities, encouraging others to exploit oneself, and focusing on one’s worst traits, has been studied only in Western populations, leaving a gap in the literature regarding how these tendencies manifest in Asian populations. This study aims to examine the demographic correlates of self-defeating personality in a community sample of the Pakistani population. The demographics considered in this study are age, education, income, gender, occupation, birth order, family system, and marital status. A correlational research design was used. Using purposive sampling, data was collected from 430 participants. Participants aged 18 to 40, who related to the brief description of Self-Defeating Personality, were included in the study, while those diagnosed with any psychological disorder were excluded. The Urdu version of the Coolidge Axis II Inventory Self-Defeating Personality Disorder Scale (Coolidge & Merwin, 1992), along with a demographic sheet, was used. After gathering the data, analyses were conducted using Pearson Product-Moment Correlation and Multiple Linear Regression on the variables. The results reveal that only marital status and doctorate level of education were significant predictors, with single status linked to higher levels and doctorate level of education linked to lower levels of self-defeating personality. Family system showed a significant correlation but did not remain a significant predictor in the regression model. Age, gender, income, occupation, and birth order showed no significant relationship or predictive effect on self-defeating personality. The results of this study can be used in early intervention and psycho educational programs targeting self-defeating patterns and could be particularly helpful for single individuals.