shayan. poshtareh

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.

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).

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.

The present study was conducted with the aim of investigating the relationship between reality testing and thematic relationships with the mediation of defense mechanisms in bereavement disorder.

The descriptive research method was correlation type. The statistical population includes all the people who referred to the psychological clinics of the 1st district of Tehran with the diagnostic criteria of grief disorder in 1401. The sample size according to the number of observed variables and assigning a coefficient of 15 for each observed variable, 240 people were selected using the available method. The data collection tool was Bell's (1988) Thematic Relations and Reality Test Questionnaire and Anders' (1993) Defense Mechanisms Questionnaire. In this research, Pearson's correlation test and SPSS22 and Amose 23 software were used to analyze the data obtained.

The results of the research showed that the indirect relationship between thematic relationships and reality testing through defense mechanisms (β=0.28) is significant (p≥0.01).

People with grief disorder, their anxiety level is lower and the level of irritability and impulsivity of these people is higher. Due to their mental conditions, these people create an image of reality instead of reality in order to achieve a relative level of health and mastery over the surrounding world. In addition, they have less ownership over their intrapsychic experiences.