Development of a Structural Model of Love Trauma Syndrome Based on Emotional Intelligence Mediated by Cognitive Distortion in Adolescent Girls Experiencing Emotional Grief
Keywords:
Love Trauma Syndrome, emotional intelligence, Cognitive Distortion, Emotional GriefAbstract
Purpose: This study aimed to develop a structural model of love trauma syndrome based on emotional intelligence with the mediating role of cognitive distortion in adolescent girls experiencing emotional grief.
Methods and Materials: This fundamental and correlational study employed a structural equation modeling (SEM) approach within a positivist paradigm and a cross-sectional design. The statistical population consisted of 11,894 female high school students in Arak during the 2022–2023 academic year. A sample of 300 participants who had experienced romantic breakup was selected using purposive sampling. Standardized instruments were utilized, including the Love Trauma Syndrome Scale (Ross, 1999), the Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire (Schutte et al., 1998), and the Cognitive Distortion Questionnaire (Abdollahzadeh & Salar, 2010). Content and construct validity were confirmed, and reliability was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha, composite reliability (CR), and McDonald’s omega, all of which exceeded 0.70. Data were analyzed using SPSS-27 and AMOS-20 software through descriptive statistics, Pearson correlations, and structural equation modeling.
Findings: The results revealed a significant negative relationship between emotional intelligence and love trauma syndrome (p < 0.01), as well as between emotional intelligence and cognitive distortion (p < 0.01). Additionally, cognitive distortion was positively associated with love trauma syndrome. Mediation analysis indicated that cognitive distortion significantly mediated the relationship between emotional intelligence and love trauma syndrome (β = -0.321, CI 95% = -0.548 to -0.210), with bootstrapping confirming the significance of the indirect effect.
Conclusion: The findings support a structural model in which emotional intelligence directly and indirectly (via cognitive distortion) influences love trauma syndrome in adolescent girls. The results highlight the importance of emotional and cognitive regulation in adolescent emotional resilience.
Downloads
References
Abounajmi, A. (2018). Predicting the symptoms of love trauma based on attachment styles, personality traits, and parenting styles in students Islamic Azad University, Marvdasht, Faculty of Psychology, Clinical Psychology].
Afzalur Rahim, M., & Minors, P. (2003). Effects of emotional intelligence on concern for quality and problem solving. Managerial Auditing Journal, 18(2), 150-155. https://doi.org/10.1108/02686900310455146
Akbari, E., Khanjani, Z., Pour Sharifi, H., Mahmoudi Lilu, M., & Azimi, Z. (2020). Comparing the effectiveness of transactional analysis therapy with cognitive-behavioral therapy in improving the pathological symptoms of emotional breakdown in students. Iranian Journal of Psychiatry and Clinical Psychology, 18(3), 184-194. https://www.sid.ir/fa/journal/ViewPaper.aspx?id=182333
Akhavi Samarin, Z., & Ahmadi, S. (2020). Developing a model for predicting love trauma based on problem-solving styles with the mediating role of cognitive flexibility in students of Mohaghegh Ardabili University in 2019: A descriptive study. Journal of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, 19(5), 499-514. https://doi.org/10.29252/jrums.19.5.499
Field, T., Diego, M., Pelaez, M., Deeds, O., & Delgado, J. (2020). Breakup distress and loss of intimacy in university students. Psychology, 1(3), 173-177. https://doi.org/10.4236/psych.2010.13023
Ghazizadeh, N., Asayesh, M. H., & Bahonar, F. (2020). Cognitive responses of girls with love failure syndrome: A phenomenological study. Growth of Psychology, 9(1), 106-197. https://frooyesh.ir/article-1-1845-fa.html
Gori, A., Topino, E., Russo, S., & Griffiths, M. D. (2024). A pilot study on childhood trauma and love addiction: Exploring the mediation of unbalanced family functioning. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy. https://doi.org/10.1037/tra0001669
Maher, E. L., & Cordova, J. V. (2019). Evaluating equanimity: Mindfulness, intimate safety, and relationship satisfaction among meditators. Couple and family psychology: Research and practice, 8(2), 77. https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2019-36933-002
Nikpoor, N., & Rajabi, S. (2017). Predicting love trauma syndrome based on early maladaptive schemas and emotional intelligence among the youth. International journal of psychology, 11(2), 152-174. https://journal.alzahra.ac.ir/article_6595.html?lang=en
Ouhmad, N., Deperrois, R., El Hage, W., & Combalbert, N. (2024). Cognitive distortions, anxiety, and depression in individuals suffering from PTSD. International Journal of Mental Health, 53(4), 336-352. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207411.2023.2219950
Pour Shirazi, K., & Nasrollahi, B. (2021). Comparing emotional intelligence, cognitive distortions, and social behavior between substance-dependent and non-dependent individuals. Scientific Journal of Addiction Studies, 15(59), 227-222. https://doi.org/10.52547/etiadpajohi.15.59.227
Quintard, V., Jouffe, S., Hommel, B., & Bouquet, C. A. (2021). Embodied self-other overlap in romantic love: A review and integrative perspective. Psychological Research, 85, 899-914. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00426-020-01301-8
Rahim, M., & Minors, P. (2003). Effects of emotional intelligence on concern for quality and problem solving. Managerial Auditing Journal, 18(2), 150-155. https://doi.org/10.1108/02686900310455146
Rosse, R. B. (1999). The love trauma syndrome: free yourself from the pain of a broken heart. https://www.amazon.com/Love-Trauma-Syndrome-Yourself-Broken/dp/0738206229
Ruiz Santos, P., Barey, A. F., & Pautassi, R. M. (2024). Cognitive distortions associated with alcohol and marijuana use in Uruguayan citizens. Substance Use & Misuse, 59(5), 680-689. https://doi.org/10.1080/10826084.2023.2294971
Sayadi Qasbeh, M., & Moqtader, L. (2021). The effectiveness of mindfulness training on achievement motivation and academic procrastination in students. Scientific Journal of Education and Evaluation, 14(54), 113-135. https://sid.ir/paper/997671/fa
Sibarani, B. E., Anggreani, C., Artasya, B., & Harahap, D. A. P. (2024). Unraveling the impact of self-efficacy, computer anxiety, trait anxiety, and cognitive distortions on learning mind your own business: The student perspective. Aptisi Transactions on Technopreneurship, 6(1), 29-40. https://doi.org/10.34306/att.v6i1.377
Smith, A. (2025). Trauma: When a teen you love insists they're fine. The Brown University Child and Adolescent Behavior Letter, 41(4), 1-4. https://doi.org/10.1002/cbl.30856
Strohmeier, C. W., Rosenfield, B., DiTomasso, R. A., & Ramsay, J. R. (2016). Assessment of the relationship between self-reported cognitive distortions and adult ADHD, anxiety, depression, and hopelessness. Psychiatry research, 238, 153-158. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2016.02.034
Tosuli, Z., Aghamohammadian Sharifab, H., Sepahri Shamlou, Z., & Shahsavari, M. (2018). The effectiveness of group reality therapy on love trauma symptoms and overall functioning of emotionally failed individuals. Applied Psychology Quarterly, 12(1), 83-102. https://apsy.sbu.ac.ir/article_97040.html
Watson, M., Cook, K., Sillau, S., Greenwell, E., Libbon, R., & Strom, L. (2024). Death of a loved one: A potential risk factor for onset of functional seizures. Epilepsy & Behavior, 155, 109769. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yebeh.2024.109769
Willcott-Benoit, W., & Cummings, J. A. (2024). Vicarious growth, traumatization, and event centrality in loved ones indirectly exposed to interpersonal trauma: a scoping review. Trauma, Violence, & Abuse, 25(5), 3643-3661. https://doi.org/10.1177/15248380241255736
Wolfe, S. E., McLean, K., Alpert, G. P., & Rojek, J. (2024). Us versus them? The problem of cognitive distortions in policing. Police Quarterly, 27(4), 532-560. https://doi.org/10.1177/10986111241234310
Downloads
Published
Submitted
Revised
Accepted
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Davood Taghvaei (Author); Zabih Pirani (Corresponding author); Shiva Meysami Azad (Author)

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.