Explaining the structural model of the tendency toward substance abuse based on childhood trauma in adolescents: the mediating roles of self-compassion and mentalization

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Ph.D. Condidate in Psychology, Department of Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Educational Sciences and Psychology, Semnan University, Semnan, Iran

2 Associate Professor, Department of Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Educational Sciences and Psychology, Semnan University, Semnan, Iran

10.22098/jrp.2024.15836.1252

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to explain a structural model of the tendency toward substance abuse based on childhood trauma in adolescents, mediated by roles of self-compassion and mentalization. The statistical population included all high school students(boys and girls) in the second stage of secondary education in Mashhad city during the 2023-2024 academic year, with 360 students selected as the sample through multi-stage cluster random sampling. To measure the research variables, the Tendency Toward Substance Abuse Scale, the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, the Reflective Functioning Questionnaire, and the Self-Compassion Scale for Adolescents were used. The research method was descriptive-correlational using structural equation modeling (SEM). Data were analyzed using SPSS25 and AMOS24 software. The findings indicated a significant relationship between childhood trauma and the tendency toward substance abuse, which is mediated by self-compassion, certainty mentalization, and uncertainty mentalization. Based on these results, it is recommended that focusing on improving certainty mentalization capacity and self-compassion in adolescents who have experienced childhood trauma could be an effective approach to prevent substance abuse and promote their mental health.

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