Presenting a structural model of Obsessive-Compulsive Symptoms based on Mentalization with the mediation of Intolerance of Uncertainty and Self-Compassion in Students

Ameri, Narjes; Hasanlo, Fatemeh; Najafi, Mahmoud

doi:10.22111/jeps.2025.52848.6057

Presenting a structural model of Obsessive-Compulsive Symptoms based on Mentalization with the mediation of Intolerance of Uncertainty and Self-Compassion in Students

Document Type : Scientific Articles

Authors

¹ PhD student in Psychology, Department of Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Semnan University, Semnan, Iran.

² Associate Professor, Department of Clinical Psychology, Semnan University, Semnan, Iran

10.22111/jeps.2025.52848.6057

Abstract

The current study aimed to present a structural model of obsessive-compulsive symptoms based on mentalization, with the mediating roles of intolerance of uncertainty and self-compassion among students. This study employed a descriptive-correlational design. The statistical population included all first- and second-grade high school students in Karaj during the 2024–2025 academic year. A sample of 397 students (260 girls and 137 boys) was selected using a multistage cluster random sampling method. The research instruments included the Children’s Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory (Foa et al., 2010), The Mentalization Scale (Dimitrijević et al., 2017), Self-Compassion Scale (Neff et al., 2003), and Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale (Carleton et al., 2007). Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation and structural equation modeling (SEM) in SPSS-27 and AMOS-24. The findings showed that mentalization (β=−0.18), self-compassion (β=−0.50), and intolerance of uncertainty (β= 0.26) had direct and significant effects on obsessive–compulsive symptoms (P<0.01). Moreover, mentalization had significant direct effects on self-compassion (β=0.67) and intolerance of uncertainty (β=−0.59) (P<0.01). Finally, mentalization indirectly and significantly affected obsessive–compulsive symptoms through self-compassion and intolerance of uncertainty (β=−0.49, P<0.01). These results suggest that enhancing mentalization capacity and fostering self-compassion among students can be effective strategies for reducing obsessive–compulsive symptoms. Accordingly, designing educational programs based on these two components may contribute to the prevention and promotion of adolescents’ mental health.

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