Investigating the Mediating Role of Mentalization in the Relationship Between Emotional Maltreatment and Emotional Disorders

Abstract

Mentalization is a crucial skill for emotional regulation. Difficulties in emotional regulation are a primary feature in all personality disorders and the ability to mentalize is closely associated with attachment style. In essence, when a caregiver can deeply understand a child's experience and provide feedback based on this understanding, a functional model for comprehending the child's internal world is presented. This helps children attend to and understand their experiences. Gradually, this modeling becomes internalized in the child, assisting them in recognizing mental states. This transition from dependency to independence is dependent on a healthy and stable emotional interaction between parent and child, which occurs when secure attachment is present. Identifying factors influencing emotional disorders during adolescence is a significant issue that can assist behavioral science professionals in developing preventative and therapeutic programs. Considering the importance of this issue, the current study aimed to determine the role of the research model of mentalization dysregulation as a mediator in the relationship between emotional maltreatment and emotional disorders in adolescents. The research was correlational and conducted in the adolescent population aged 12 to 17 residing in Tehran province. The study involved 550 participants who responded to the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) and the Reflective Functioning Questionnaire for Youths (RFQ-Y). Data analysis was performed using SPSS 19.0 and Amos-24. The results indicated that the research model of mentalization dysregulation as a mediator between emotional maltreatment and emotional disorders is well-fitted (χ²/df = 3.627, CFI = 0.983, IFI = 0.983, RFI = 0.957, RMSEA = 0.070) and that mentalization mediates the relationship between emotional maltreatment and emotional disorders (P = 0.001, β = 0.201). Overall, it can be concluded that emotional dysregulation and mentalization are mediators between childhood traumatic experiences and symptoms of emotional disorders during adolescence