Modeling the Relationship Between Reality Testing and Object Relations with Psychological Well-being Through the Mediation of Defense Mechanisms in Grief Disorder

Abstract

Objective: The present research aimed to model the relationship between reality testing and object relations with psychological well-being through the mediation of defense mechanisms in grief disorder.

Methods and Materials: The research method was correlational and of the Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) type. The statistical population included all individuals who met the diagnostic criteria for grief disorder and visited psychological clinics in District 1 of Tehran in the year 2022. The sample size, considering the number of observed variables and allocating a coefficient of 15 for each observed variable, was selected as 240 individuals through a convenience sampling method. Data collection tools included Bell’s Reality Testing and Object Relations Questionnaire (1988), Andrews’ Defense Mechanisms Questionnaire (1993), and Ryff’s Psychological Well-being Questionnaire (1995). In this study, structural regression equation modeling and SPSS22 and Amos 23 software were used for data analysis.

Findings: The research results showed that the indirect relationship of object relations to psychological well-being through defense mechanisms (β = -0.32) is significant (p ≤ 0.01). Also, it was determined that the indirect relationship of reality testing to psychological well-being through defense mechanisms (β = -0.35) is significant (p ≤ 0.01).

Conclusion: Based on the results of the present study, the research model was confirmed in terms of significance and fit indicators. The findings highlight the role of reality testing, object relations, and psychological well-being in grief disorder, hence, these findings can have clinical applications and be effective in therapeutic programs related to grief disorder.