A Causal Explanation of Social Safeness Based on Neuroticism: The mediating Role of Basic Psychological Needs Satisfaction and Frustration

Despite the importance of social safeness, little research has provide a causal explanation. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to introduce a causal explanation of the social safeness based on neuroticism and the satisfaction and frustration of basic psychological needs among a group of undergraduate students at Shiraz University. Participants were 291 (170 girls) during 2020-21 academic year, who were selected using a multi-stage random cluster sampling method. They completed the Costa and McCrae neuroticism scale (1992), basic psychological needs satisfaction and frustration scale Chen et al. (2015), and social safeness and pleasure scale Gilbert et al. (2009). The validity and reliability of the research scales were evaluated and confirmed using confirmatory factor analysis and Cronbach's alpha coefficient. For analyzing the research model, path analysis and Amos 24 software was used. Also, the results showed that the research model fits well with the data collected. Findings showed that neuroticism predicted social safeness indirectly (Through the mediation of the basic psychological needs satisfaction and frustration). In general, the results of this study indicate that social safeness planning requires attention to both personality traits and the situations created by these traits, such as the satisfaction and frustration of basic psychological needs. The results are discussed based on research and theoretical evidence.