Preventive Care in Nursing and Midwifery Journal
Volume 15, Issue 2 (10-2025)
Prev Care Nurs Midwifery J 2025, 15(2): 32-41 |
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Ethics code: IR.IAU.K.REC.1404.068
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Malehmir Chegini S, Havasi Soomar N, Gholami Tooran Poshti M. The relationship between defense mechanisms and suicidal ideation in women: The mediating role of psychological pain and difficulties in emotion regulation. Prev Care Nurs Midwifery J 2025; 15 (2) :32-41
URL: http://nmcjournal.zums.ac.ir/article-1-983-en.html
URL: http://nmcjournal.zums.ac.ir/article-1-983-en.html
Department of Psychology, Ka.C., Islamic Azad University, Karaj, Iran , havasin2020@gmail.com
Abstract: (255 Views)
Background: Suicidal ideation persists as a pressing public health concern, especially in women. Dysfunctional defense mechanisms and their complex interplay with emotional and cognitive processes warrant further scholarly investigation.
Objectives: This study investigates the mediating roles of psychological pain and difficulties in emotion regulation in the relationship between defense mechanisms and suicidal ideation in women.
Method: This descriptive-correlational study used structural equation modeling to examine direct and indirect pathways in women with suicidal ideation from Karaj counseling centers (2024). A convenience sample of 350 participants (mean age = 32.0 years, SD = 7.8) completed the Defense Style Questionnaire-40 (immature/dysfunctional subscale), Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation, Mental Pain Scale, and Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale. Data analysis used SPSS-27 and AMOS-27. The study received ethics approval, included informed consent, and high-risk participants (BSSI ≥17) were referred to crisis services.
Results: Findings indicated a significant direct effect of dysfunctional defense mechanisms on suicidal ideation (β=0.22, p<0.001). Psychological pain (β=0.15, 95% CI [0.10, 0.20], p<0.001) and difficulties in emotion regulation (β=0.10, 95% CI [0.05, 0.15], p<0.001) partially mediated this relationship, with the direct effect remaining significant, confirmed through 5,000 bootstrap resamples. The model exhibited strong fit (CFI=0.92, TLI=0.91, RMSEA=0.06), underscoring the mediators’ salience in suicidal ideation.
Conclusion: This study highlights the need for multidimensional interventions targeting dysfunctional defenses, psychological pain, and emotion regulation to prevent and treat suicidal ideation in women.
Objectives: This study investigates the mediating roles of psychological pain and difficulties in emotion regulation in the relationship between defense mechanisms and suicidal ideation in women.
Method: This descriptive-correlational study used structural equation modeling to examine direct and indirect pathways in women with suicidal ideation from Karaj counseling centers (2024). A convenience sample of 350 participants (mean age = 32.0 years, SD = 7.8) completed the Defense Style Questionnaire-40 (immature/dysfunctional subscale), Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation, Mental Pain Scale, and Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale. Data analysis used SPSS-27 and AMOS-27. The study received ethics approval, included informed consent, and high-risk participants (BSSI ≥17) were referred to crisis services.
Results: Findings indicated a significant direct effect of dysfunctional defense mechanisms on suicidal ideation (β=0.22, p<0.001). Psychological pain (β=0.15, 95% CI [0.10, 0.20], p<0.001) and difficulties in emotion regulation (β=0.10, 95% CI [0.05, 0.15], p<0.001) partially mediated this relationship, with the direct effect remaining significant, confirmed through 5,000 bootstrap resamples. The model exhibited strong fit (CFI=0.92, TLI=0.91, RMSEA=0.06), underscoring the mediators’ salience in suicidal ideation.
Conclusion: This study highlights the need for multidimensional interventions targeting dysfunctional defenses, psychological pain, and emotion regulation to prevent and treat suicidal ideation in women.
Type of Study: Orginal research |
Subject:
other
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