Comparison of Object Relations, Personality Organization, and Personal and Relational Meaning of Life in Psychology Graduates vs Other Students in Lahijan Azad University

This study aims to compare object relations, personality organization, personal meaning of life, and relational meaning in life among students of Islamic Azad University, Lahijan Branch.

The research design was post-event (causal-comparative). The sample included 200 students (100 psychology students and 100 students from other majors) selected based on convenience sampling criteria. The tools used in this study were Bell object relations and reality testing inventory (BORRTI), Kernberg’s inventory of personality organization (IPO), Steger’s meaning in life questionnaire (MLQ), and relational meaning in life questionnaire (RMLQ). The collected data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of variance and SPSS software, version 24.

 The results showed no significant difference between the scores of object relations among psychology students and students from other majors of Islamic Azad University, Lahijan City, Iran. On the other hand, a significant difference was observed between the variables of personality organization, personal meaning in life, and relational meaning in life in psychology students and other university students.

 Based on the results of this study, the overall status of psychology students in terms of personality organization, personal meaning in life, and relational meaning in life was better than other students. However, it is recommended that therapists, counselors, and educational administrators pay more attention to object relations and some personality organization variables (such as primary defenses and identity confusion) in themselves or their students because examining and improving these variables through psychotherapy can provide a better basis for future services and prevent potential harm to clients.