National Belonging and Its Relationship with Psychological Security Among University Students

Objective: The study aimed to identify the levels of the two variables—psychological security and national belonging—among university students in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Method: The descriptive method was adopted as it was suitable for the objectives of the study. Sample: The study was applied to a sample of (389) male and female students selected through the convenient sampling method from two universities—one public and one private—in the city of Erbil. Instruments: Two scales were used: Al-Qarni’s (2018) Scale, consisting of (16) items, to measure national belonging. A Psychological Security Scale consisting of (25) items, prepared according to Maslow’s Theory of Needs (1972). Results: The findings showed that the participants experienced high levels of psychological security and national belonging. The results also showed a positive relationship between national affiliation and psychological safety, meaning that as a person's level of psychological safety increases, so does the level of national affiliation. Furthermore, there were no statistically significant differences in the two variables by gender, while significant differences emerged depending on the type of university (public or private). Recommendations and Suggestions: The study recommended promoting national awareness of the need to meet and develop these needs among Kurdish individuals by focusing on values established by family, school and other social institutions. The role of visual media and social media platforms was also emphasized in this. Furthermore, the study suggested further research on the variables of national belonging in relation to other psychological variables.