Perceived Social Support from Friends and its Relative Contribution to Interpersonal Mindfulness

Abstract

Objectives: This study sought to assess university students' perceived social support from friends, their interpersonal mindfulness levels, and explore the relationship between them. Additionally, it aimed to determine the extent of the contribution of perceived social support from friends to interpersonal mindfulness.

Method: The study employed a correlational descriptive approach, with a sample of 720 Jordanian university students (343 males and 377 females) selected through convenience sampling during the summer semester of the academic year 2021-2022. To meet the study's objectives, the researchers utilized a specially prepared scale for perceived social support from friends and the interpersonal mindfulness scale by Pratscher et al.

Results: The study showed that the levels of perceived social support from friends and interpersonal mindfulness were statistically significant with an arithmetic average of (3.72) and (3.76) respectively. The results showed a statically significant correlation between them (r = 0.310). The results also showed that the square of the simple linear regression coefficient reached (0.096), meaning that approximately (9.6%) of the variance on the interpersonal mindfulness variable can be explained by knowing the level of perceived social support from friends. Finally, the results of multiple linear regression showed that the emotional support and material support together contributed to the explanation of (12.8%) of the variance in interpersonal mindfulness.

Conclusion: The study reveals that students' interpersonal mindfulness is influenced by the levels of emotional and material support they receive from their friends. Consequently, there is a need for programs to train students in providing social support to others.