اثربخشی مداخله پردازش هیجانی بر کارکرد شناختی و پریشانی روانشناختی

Abstract

Objective: The present study aimed to examine the structural relationship between personality organization and object relations with medically unexplained symptoms and psychosomatic pain, considering the mediating role of mentalization.

Methodology: This study was quantitative in nature and conducted using structural equation modeling in a field-based design. The statistical population consisted of 450 individuals (aged 18–45) who visited medical centers in Tehran during 2021–2022, selected through convenience sampling. To measure the variables, five standardized instruments were used: the Inventory of Personality Organization (IPO), the Bell Object Relations and Reality Testing Inventory (BORRTI), the Screening for Somatoform Symptoms (SOMS-2), the Psychosomatic Pain Questionnaire (PSQ), and the Mentalization Questionnaire (MentS). Data analysis was carried out using SPSS-23 and AMOS-22.

Findings: The results indicated that personality organization had a significant and direct positive effect on medically unexplained symptoms (β = 0.697, p < 0.001) and psychosomatic pain (β = 0.711, p < 0.001). Object relations also had a significant and direct positive effect on psychosomatic pain (β = 0.669, p < 0.001), but a significant negative effect on mentalization (β = -0.075, p < 0.001). Additional findings revealed that mentalization had a significant negative effect on medically unexplained symptoms (β = -0.283, p < 0.001), although its effect on psychosomatic pain (β = -0.261) was not statistically significant. Ultimately, the mediating role of mentalization in the relationship between personality organization and medically unexplained symptoms and psychosomatic pain, as well as between object relations and these symptoms, was not supported. The model fit indices indicated an acceptable fit (RMSEA = 0.11, GFI = 0.848, NFI = 0.750, RFI = 0.893).

Conclusion: The structural model fit supports a significant direct effect of personality organization and object relations on medically unexplained symptoms and psychosomatic pain. Furthermore, personality organization also influences these symptoms through the mediating role of mentalization. These findings have practical implications and can inform the design and implementation of psychological interventions for patient populations.