Fit of the Horizontal–Vertical Individualism–Collectivism Model with Empathy in Mental Health Therapists: The Mediating Role of Mentalization
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61838/kman.pdmd.731Keywords:
Horizontal–vertical individualism–collectivism, mentalization, empathy, mental health therapists, structural equation modelingAbstract
Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the structural fit of the relationship between horizontal–vertical individualism–collectivism and empathy in mental health therapists with the mediating role of mentalization.
Methodology: This study was fundamental in purpose and descriptive–correlational in method using structural equation modeling. The statistical population included 991 mental health therapists in Tehran, from which 280 participants were selected through systematic random sampling. Data were collected using the Jolliffe and Farrington Empathy Questionnaire (2006), the Horizontal–Vertical Individualism–Collectivism Scale by Sivadas et al. (2008), and the Fonagy Mentalization Questionnaire (2018). Data analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics and structural equation modeling techniques.
Findings: The results indicated that horizontal–vertical individualism–collectivism had a positive and significant direct effect on empathy (β=0.45, p=0.001). Mentalization also showed a positive and significant direct effect on empathy (β=0.36, p=0.001). Additionally, individualism–collectivism had a significant direct effect on mentalization (β=0.58, p=0.001). Bootstrap analysis revealed a positive and significant mediating effect of mentalization in the relationship between cultural orientations and empathy (B=0.128, p=0.021). Model fit indices (χ²/df=2.29, RMSEA=0.053, GFI=0.96, CFI=0.99, AGFI=0.88) indicated a good model fit.
Conclusion: The findings demonstrate that horizontal–vertical individualism–collectivism influences therapists’ empathy both directly and indirectly through mentalization, highlighting the critical role of mentalization in transforming cultural orientations into empathic professional behavior.
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