1- Department of psychology, Faculty of social sciences, Imam Khomeini international university, Qazvin, Iran
2- Department of psychology, Faculty of social sciences, Imam Khomeini international university, Qazvin, Iran , Shiri@soc.ikiu.ac.ir
Abstract: (16 Views)
Abstract
Objective: This study examined the relationships between childhood trauma, mentalization, and obsessive–compulsive symptoms, while evaluating the mediating role of personality organization in a sample of university students.
Method: This cross-sectional correlational study employed structural equation modeling (SEM). Participants included 260 students recruited from Imam Khomeini International University in Qazvin, Iran, using cluster random sampling. Data were collected using the Yale–Brown Obsessive–Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS), Childhood Trauma Questionnaire–Short Form (CTQ-SF), Reflective Functioning Questionnaire (RFQ), and Kernberg Personality Organization Inventory (IPO). Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 27 and AMOS version 24.
Results: Childhood trauma, mentalization, personality organization, and obsessive–compulsive symptoms showed significant associations within the proposed structural model. Mentalization and Childhood trauma demonstrated both direct and indirect associations with obsessive–compulsive symptoms through personality organization. Similarly, personality organization statistically mediated the association between mentalization and obsessive–compulsive symptoms. The final structural model demonstrated acceptable fit indices.
Conclusion: Findings suggest that childhood trauma and mentalization capacity are associated with personality organization, which in turn is related to obsessive–compulsive symptoms in a non-clinical student population. These findings provide preliminary, correlational evidence for the role of personality organization as a potential mediator; causal conclusions cannot be drawn
Type of Study:
Original Research Article |
Subject:
Analytical approach Received: 2026/04/23 | Accepted: 2026/07/11