KMAN Publication Inc. (KMANPUB) Journal of Adolescent and Youth Psychological Studies (JAYPS) 2981-2526 In Press 2026 08 10 The Role of Attitude Toward Self in Self-Esteem among Adolescents with Idiopathic Generalized Epilepsy: The Mediating Effect of Mentalization The Role of Attitude Toward Self in Self-Esteem among Adolescents with Idiopathic Generalized Epilepsy: The Mediating Effect of Mentalization 1 13 10.61838/ EN Journal Article 2025 12 23 <table> <tbody> <tr> <td> <p><strong>Objective:</strong> The present study aimed to investigate the role of attitude toward self in predicting self-esteem among adolescents with idiopathic generalized epilepsy, with mentalization as a mediating variable.</p> <p><strong>Methods and Materials: </strong>The present study employed a quantitative descriptive-correlational design using structural equation modeling (SEM). The statistical population consisted of adolescents aged 12 to 18 years diagnosed with idiopathic generalized epilepsy who referred to specialized epilepsy clinics and treatment centers in Shiraz. Participants were selected through purposive sampling, and after screening incomplete questionnaires, 351 adolescents were included in the final analysis. Data collection instruments included the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, the modified Levels of Self-Criticism Scale as a measure of attitude toward self, and the Reflective Functioning Questionnaire for assessing mentalization. Data were analyzed using SPSS-27 and LISREL 8.8. Descriptive statistics, confirmatory factor analysis, and structural equation modeling were used to examine the proposed conceptual model and test direct and indirect relationships among the variables.</p> <p><strong>Findings: </strong>The findings demonstrated that the proposed structural model had acceptable fit with the empirical data (χ²/df = 2.81, RMSEA = 0.074, CFI = 0.93). Confirmatory factor analysis supported the reliability and convergent validity of all measurement models. The results of structural equation modeling showed that attitude toward self had a significant direct effect on mentalization (β = 0.68, t = 4.95) and self-esteem (β = 0.38, t = 2.52). Mentalization also had a strong and significant direct effect on self-esteem (β = 0.83, t = 7.38). In addition, the indirect effect of attitude toward self on self-esteem through mentalization was significant (β = 0.56, Sobel = 4.00), indicating partial mediation. The total effect of attitude toward self on self-esteem was 0.94, suggesting that mentalization played a substantial explanatory role in the relationship between self-attitude and self-esteem among adolescents with idiopathic generalized epilepsy.</p> <p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The findings indicate that self-esteem in adolescents with idiopathic generalized epilepsy is strongly influenced by both attitude toward self and mentalization.</p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p> </p> https://journals.kmanpub.com/index.php/jayps/article/download/5535/10554