The relationship between personality characteristics, social support and life satisfaction with university students’ academic performance

Research and theoretical attempts of several experts have led to extend explanation and an alyzation of factors related to academic performance. Whereas, academic performance is considered as an important criterion for quality of high education system, it is particularly important to study its related factors. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship among personality characteristics, social support and life satisfaction with academic performance. This study was a descriptive- correlative survey. The population of this research included students of Faculty of Humanities' at University of Kashan and 250 subjects were selected by stratified sampling. Data were gathered using NEO - Five Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI) , Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS) and MOS-Social Support Scale (MOS - SSS).The reliability coefficient of NEO - Five Factor Inventory for five factors(neuroticism, extraversion, openness to experience, agreeableness and conscientiousness) are estimated 0.88, 0.80, 0.79, 0.76, 0.83 respectively and the reliability coefficient of Satisfaction With Life Scale and MOS-Social Support Scale are estimated 0.97, 0.87 respectively. Data were analyzed by Pearson correlation test and step wide regression. Results indicated a significant relationship between neuroticism and conscientiousness with academic performance. Also, the results indicated a non significant relationship between social support and academic performance.Whereas, the results revealed a significant relationship between life satisfaction and academic performance. In general, findings demonstrate that academic performance has related to stable personal characteristics and traits of students and their satisfaction with life situations. Hence, it is important to notice individual and environmental factors influencing academic achievement of students and recognizing factors influencing their satisfaction.