Examining the Mediating Role of Emotional SelfAwareness in the Relationship between Moral Identity and SelfDefeating Behavior and Cognition

The present study was conducted with the aim of investigating the mediating role of emotional self-awareness in the relationship between moral identity and self-defeating behavior and cognition. This research was descriptive-correlation based on structural equation modeling. 200 female students of the first secondary school in the villages of Roudbane city in the academic year 2022-2023 were selected using convenience sampling method and the research tools included the moral identity questionnaire (MIQ), self-defeating behaviors & cognitions scale (SDBCS) and self-awareness outcomes questionnaire (SAOQ). Data analysis was done using Pearson correlation and structural equations. The obtained findings showed that moral identity and emotional self-awareness have a direct effect on self-defeating behavior and cognition (p>0.001). Also, moral identity had an indirect effect on self-defeating behavior and cognition with the mediating role of emotional self-awareness (p>0.001). According to the results of the present research, more attention should be paid to the role of moral identity and emotional self-awareness in reducing students' self-defeating behaviors and cognitions.