Life Values Among Lebanese and Portuguese College Students

Abstract

This study aims to test the applicability of the functional theory of life values and score differences among a group of students from Lebanon and Portugal. Participants include 565 college students—278 Lebanese and 287 Portuguese. A demographic questionnaire and an adapted version of the Basic Values Survey were completed. Confirmatory/multigroup factor analysis, a generalized Procrustes analysis, and a t test were used. Results indicate that content and structure hypotheses were equivalent among the two groups. There were significant differences between the Lebanese and Portuguese students in normative and promotion values in favor of the first group, and in interactive, suprapersonal, and excitement values in favor of the second. This study has implications for institutional academic and social practices with international college students.

Mapping personality markers in a Portuguese sample: The factor structure, reliability and incremental validity of the Big Five Mini-Markers

“…Unlike an individualistic culture, belonging to groups and loyalty to the other members are core values (Hofstede, 2001;Hofstede-insights, 2023). Despite of the scarcity of literature on the values of university students, previous findings support the role of collectivism as a Portuguese cultural dimension, suggesting that they tend to value getting along with others and being respectful, tolerant, and loyal in social relationships (Marques et al, 2020). Portuguese culture also scores low in the masculinity dimension, which means that excessive competitiveness is not appreciated; standing out from the crowd is not especially desired and more than being the best, it is important to like what you do (Hofstede, 2001;Hofstede-insights, 2023).…”