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Modeling Depressive Symptoms Based on Childhood Trauma Experience and Alexithymia in University Students: The Mediating Role of Mentalization Capacity
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Behnaz Pishgahi   , Kobra Haji Alizade * , Seyed Abdolvahab Samavi |
| University of Bandar Abbas , Hajializadehk@iau.ac.ir |
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Abstract: (20 Views) |
Introduction: In today’s fast‑paced world, students’ mental health has become one of the main concerns of society. Students, as the future builders of the country, are exposed to numerous academic, social, and economic pressures that may affect their mental health. Therefore, the present study was conducted with the aim of modeling depressive symptoms based on childhood trauma and alexithymia among university students, with the mediating role of mentalization capacity.
Methods: In terms of purpose, this study was basic research and was conducted within a correlational design using structural equation modeling (SEM). The study population included all students of Islamic Azad Universities in Tehran during the second half of the year 1404, among whom 350 participants were selected through convenience sampling after applying inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data were collected using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS), the Beck Depression Inventory–Second Edition (BDI‑II), and the Reflective Functioning Questionnaire (RFQ). Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation and structural equation modeling through SPSS and AMOS software.
Results: The results indicated that the research model demonstrated an acceptable fit with the data. Furthermore, the results revealed that the direct paths from childhood trauma to mentalization capacity (t=−5.25,β=−0.57), alexithymia to mentalization capacity (t=−2.99,β=−0.30), childhood trauma to depressive symptoms (t=2.84,β=0.30), and mentalization capacity to depressive symptoms (t=−2.45,β=−0.28) were significant. Additionally, the path from alexithymia to depressive symptoms was not significant (t=1.67,β=0.15). The indirect effect of childhood trauma on depressive symptoms through the mediating role of mentalization capacity was significant (β=0.16,p=0.018). Similarly, the indirect effect of alexithymia on depressive symptoms through the mediating role of mentalization capacity was significant (β=0.08,p=0.016). The results also showed that the research variables collectively explained 45% of the variance in depressive symptoms.
Conclusions: Based on the findings of the present study, mentalizing capacity mediates the relationship between childhood trauma and alexithymia with depressive symptoms in students. Therefore, in addressing depressive symptoms, attention should be paid to the role of these variables. It is recommended that the findings of the present study be utilized in designing effective preventive and therapeutic interventions for depressive symptoms.
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| Keywords: Childhood trauma, alexithymia, depressive symptoms, mentalizing capacity. |
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Type of Study: Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing |
Subject:
behavioral sciences
Received: 2026/08/3 | Accepted: 2026/08/17 | Published: 2026/08/1
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