The effectiveness of psychological adjustment between parents and its relationship to the child’s personality

Abstract

Psychological compatibility is considered a key factor in studying human behavior, understanding various problems, and achieving harmony within the intended domain. An individual may encounter numerous obstacles and must therefore adjust their behavior to align with new circumstances, with responses varying according to personal traits. The family is the primary institution responsible for social upbringing and control, and children’s psychological well-being is closely tied to the degree of compatibility between the parents. A stable and happy family fosters a healthy environment for growth, thus enhancing children’s happiness and mental health—forming the foundation upon which the success of all other social institutions depends. This research seeks to answer the question: What is the relationship between parents’ psychological compatibility and the child’s personality? It aims to explore the effectiveness of parents’ psychological compatibility and its relationship to the child’s personality. The research boundaries include a time boundary of May 12, 2024, a geographical boundary of Al-Najaf Al-Ashraf, Iraq, a subject boundary examining the topic of parents’ psychological compatibility and its relation to the child’s personality, and a human boundary focusing on preschool children aged 4–5. The sample was drawn from Al-Asal Kindergarten in Al-Najaf Al-Ashraf, among 25 kindergartens, employing a descriptive approach for the investigation. A psychological compatibility scale served as the research instrument, and face validity was utilized, with statistical analysis carried out using SPSS. The findings indicated that parental psychological compatibility influences the child’s happiness or sadness, and witnessing parental conflict affects the child’s personality. The researcher recommends raising parental awareness regarding the vital role a healthy environment and positive social upbringing play in shaping children’s mental health and personality, as well as establishing counseling centers to guide parents in resolving issues appropriately. Follow-up studies were suggested, including evaluating a counseling program’s effectiveness in enhancing parents’ life skills.