The predictive ability of national belonging to future anxiety among Syrians returning to their homeland

Abstract

The study aimed to examine the predictive power of national belonging in reducing future anxiety among Syrians returning to their homeland. It employed a descriptive correlational approach, and the sample consisted of )250( Syrians returning to their homeland, selected using purposive random sampling. To achieve the study’s objectives, a Future Anxiety Scale was developed, consisting of )40( items and covering four dimensions: cognitive, affective, social, and economic. A National Identity Scale was also developed, consisting of )40( items and covering four dimensions: historical, security, loyalty to the homeland, and protection of the homeland, sacrifice for it, and defense of it. The results showed that the level of national belonging was moderate, with the historical dimension ranking highest, while the level of future anxiety was also moderate, with cognitive anxiety ranking first compared to the other dimensions. The validity of both instruments was verified through inter-rater reliability, and their reliability using Cronbach’s alpha. The results showed that the level of national belonging among Syrians returning to their homeland was moderate, and the level of future anxiety was moderate, tending toward high. The results also revealed a statistically significant positive correlation between national belonging and future anxiety.The results of the linear regression analysis showed that future anxiety explains )12.2%( of the variance in national belonging, indicating a statistically significant predictive role for these two variables in explaining an aspect of individuals’ psychological and social well-being, within the limits of the model used. In light of these results, the study recommended the need to strengthen national belonging and provide psychological and social support that contributes to reducing anxiety about the future, thereby supporting the process of integration and stability.